Online shopping in Canada grew by more than 61 per cent in just two years, according to a new report.
The latest Statistics Canada report shows Canadians placed $12.8 billion worth of orders in 2007 -- up 61 per cent from 2005.
Total orders grew from 49.4 million in 2005 to 69.9 million in 2007.
Although more Canadians were shopping online, the proportion of orders placed with Canadian vendors fell from 57 per cent in 2005 to 52 per cent in 2007.
Overall, more than 8.4 million Canadians aged 16 and over purchased something online in 2007, up from nearly 6.9 million in 2005.
The top 25 per cent of Canadian shoppers online spent an average of $5,000 in 2007, about 78 per cent of the total dollar value.
The most common types of online orders were:
- travel services
- books and magazines
- entertainment products such as concert tickets, clothing, jewelry and accessories
Most online shoppers, 82 per cent, paid directly online using a credit card or debit card.
However, 77 per cent of those who did pay online still expressed concern about using their credit card over the Internet.
Regionally, one-half of Internet users in Alberta place an online order in 2007 -- the most of any province.
Across Canada, Internet users aged 25 to 34 were the heaviest online consumers, with 51 per cent ordering online.
Many Canadians also used retailers' websites to window shop before going to the store in person.
In 2007, 43 per cent of Canadians logged on to do research on products, or to "window shop."
Of these window shoppers, 64 per cent said they later made a purchase directly from a store.
