Internet new pit stop for Indian shoppers

02 Feb '08

4 min read

Online shopping has caught up with the net savvy Indians in a big way. 78 percent of the Indian respondents (those accessing internet) surveyed in the recent Nielsen Global Online Survey on Internet shopping habits, have used the Internet to make a purchase and more than half of the respondents (55%) have made at least one online purchase in the past one month.

“The Internet is no longer a niche technology as far as Socio Economic Class A and perhaps even B is concerned—it is more powerful than mass media as it is interactive and it is an utterly integral part of modern life. Almost no aspect of life remains untouched by online media. As our lives become busier and cluttered, it isn't surprising that consumers turn to the unrivalled convenience of the Internet when it comes to researching and buying products,” said N.S.Muthukumaran, Director, Online Research, The Nielsen Company, India.

Online shopping has opened up new avenues. Especially in the realm of traveling, the Internet has made it very convenient to book tickets. 73 percent Indians have purchased airline tickets/reservations in the past three months, this percentage being the highest for any country in Asia Pacific.

More than 60 percent of Irish and UAE Internet users bought airline tickets/reservations on the Internet in the last three months, making travel the fourth most popular shopping category on the web globally.

“The accessibility to a wide range of comparable information online, makes traveling a category that is extremely suited to the Internet and is a lucrative investment option for marketers,” continued Muthukumaran.

Books (46%), Electronic Equipments (29%), Tours & Hotel Reservations (24%), Videos/DVDs/Games (23%), Event Tickets (23%), Clothing/Accessories/Shoes (21%), and Music (20%) are some other popular purchases made online by Indians.

Globally the number of Internet consumers buying books over the Internet has increased seven percent in the past two years but the biggest increase has been in Clothing/Accessories/Shoes, which increased from 20 percent to 36 percent.

More The Nielsen Company News... More Textiles News - India...