Canadians are increasingly turning to the Internet when it comes to purchasing goods or services, according to Statistics Canada data released October 28.
Internet shopping increased by 24% from 51% in 2010 to 77% in 2012. The data also showed that 77% of Internet users window shopped or did research on goods or services in 2012.
The most common online purchases were travel arrangements, including hotel reservations, travel tickets and rental cars, with 58% of online shoppers using the Internet for this purpose. This was followed by entertainment events tickets (52%).
In 2012, the average online shopper made approximately 13 separate orders and spent around $1,450. Most Internet shoppers (82%) had made purchases from a Canadian company, 63% had made purchases from the United States and 21% and bought goods or services from another country.
The main reasons cited for not using the Internet for shopping were a preference for shopping in person (30%) and having no interest in online shopping (31%).
Those most likely to purchase online were shoppers between 25 and 34 years old.
After travel and entertainment, the most common online purchases were:
- clothing, jewelry and accessories (42%);
- books, magazines and online newspapers (42%);
- music, including CDs and MP3s (35%); and
- memberships or registration fees, for example to health clubs, tuitions or online television subscriptions (35%).
