Increase in online purchases
According to online media outlet Telecompaper, France’s e-commerce market grew to EUR12.1bn in the first quarter in comparison to the same period in 2012. The study conducted by Fevad revealed that almost 19,000 new e-commerce websites were created during the past 12 months, taking the total of active e-commerce sites to 120,000. The increase comes as a result of the number consumers reaching 32.6 million in Q1, representing an increase of 5% from 2012.
Fevad’s research also delved deeper into the online purchases made by French consumers. The average shopping basket decreased by 4% to EUR85 during the last 12 months. This average has declined by 8% over the past 24 months. However, the reduction in the average shopping basket is compensated by a higher number of purchases, which increased to 5.5 transactions per online buyer per month in Q1 2013, from 4.8 in the same period a year earlier.
A SmartDebit spokesperson from the firm commented, “It is clear from this research and many other studies, that consumers are increasingly purchasing their goods and services online to take advantage of a wider range of choice and better value for money.”
He continues, “The increase in the number of new e-commerce websites mirrors a recent study in the UK which revealed that 32% of business expected to invest heavily in the e-commerce channel over the next 12 months. For small businesses the initial thought of investing in an e-commerce facility sounds daunting, expensive and time consuming. However, there are simpler and cost-effective payment solutions available which we urge all businesses to review, in order to implement a multi-channelled approach to market.”
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