Online Asian consumers are more active

 

MasterCard Worldwide survey reflected that online consumers were more active shopping online in the fourth quarter of 2008. The online shopping habits survey was conducted among 5037 respondents across 10 markets: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, UAE and South Africa with the latter two being new markets included in 2008.

The latest Insights Report, Economic Crisis and Preference for Online Shopping in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa published by MasterCard Worldwide revealed that in the fourth quarter of 2008 this region’s online customers spent $633 compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year. It was also found that compared to 3.1 average purchases in Q4 2007, in Q4 2008 this figure grew up to 3.3.

Books and arts made up 38% of online purchases as the most frequently bought items online, 37% was taken by home appliances and electronic products and CDs/DVDs/VCDs products made 36%. 

According to the research, most online customers either bought items impulsively “hardly ever”, 36%, or “just a couple of times” 38%. The discounted prices became the main reason of impulsive acquiring for 67%. 83% of online shoppers trying to plan their shopping in advance and conduct research on their planned purchases.