http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_387934.html
Hey, big online spenders
By Reico Wong
The popularity of e-commerce spending in Asia Pacific looks set to continue, with 81 per cent of respondents stating they were likely to shop online again in the next 12 months. -- PHOTO: NP
SINGAPOREANS are big online spenders, even in bad times.
They spent an average of US$4,018 (S$5,868) in the first quarter, 34 per cent more than a year ago, according to survey results released on Tuesday by the Visa e-Commerce Consumer Monitor.
Following hot on the heels of Singaporean online shoppers are those from Hong Kong and India, who spent US$3,791 and US$3,442 respectively.
Online spending in these territories also saw the largest quarter-on-quarter increase. Those from Hong Kong said they spent more than double what they did in the previous survey, while those from India forked out 42 per cent more for online shopping.
The survey results appear to indicate that Asia Pacific consumers are generally unfazed by the current global economic downturn.
In the previous survey, respondents spent an average of US$3,109 in the past year.
Among the categories surveyed, the top three biggest online spend areas were all related to travel services. An average of US$970 was spent on airline or airline tickets, US$647 on online travel agents and US$527 on travel accommodation.
Ms Meranda Chan, Visa's country manager for Singapore and Brunei, said she believed the convenience of the Internet made shopping online highly appealing in many ways.
'As consumers are expected to keep a close eye on their finances, the ability to browse a wide range of retail offerings to compare prices and seek cheaper buys on the internet seems to be leading budget conscious consumers to shop online,' she said.
The popularity of e-commerce spending in Asia Pacific looks set to continue, with 81 per cent of respondents stating they were likely to shop online again in the next 12 months.
Respondents from Korea (96 per cent), Japan (90 per cent) and Australia (83 per cent) are the most likely to make purchases online in the region.
Hey, big online spenders
By Reico Wong
The popularity of e-commerce spending in Asia Pacific looks set to continue, with 81 per cent of respondents stating they were likely to shop online again in the next 12 months. -- PHOTO: NP
SINGAPOREANS are big online spenders, even in bad times.
They spent an average of US$4,018 (S$5,868) in the first quarter, 34 per cent more than a year ago, according to survey results released on Tuesday by the Visa e-Commerce Consumer Monitor.
Following hot on the heels of Singaporean online shoppers are those from Hong Kong and India, who spent US$3,791 and US$3,442 respectively.
Online spending in these territories also saw the largest quarter-on-quarter increase. Those from Hong Kong said they spent more than double what they did in the previous survey, while those from India forked out 42 per cent more for online shopping.
The survey results appear to indicate that Asia Pacific consumers are generally unfazed by the current global economic downturn.
In the previous survey, respondents spent an average of US$3,109 in the past year.
Among the categories surveyed, the top three biggest online spend areas were all related to travel services. An average of US$970 was spent on airline or airline tickets, US$647 on online travel agents and US$527 on travel accommodation.
Ms Meranda Chan, Visa's country manager for Singapore and Brunei, said she believed the convenience of the Internet made shopping online highly appealing in many ways.
'As consumers are expected to keep a close eye on their finances, the ability to browse a wide range of retail offerings to compare prices and seek cheaper buys on the internet seems to be leading budget conscious consumers to shop online,' she said.
The popularity of e-commerce spending in Asia Pacific looks set to continue, with 81 per cent of respondents stating they were likely to shop online again in the next 12 months.
Respondents from Korea (96 per cent), Japan (90 per cent) and Australia (83 per cent) are the most likely to make purchases online in the region.
