Consumers across the globe are increasingly swapping crowded stores for one-click convenience, as online shopping becomes a safe and popular option.

According to a recent global survey conducted by The Nielsen Company, over 85 percent of the world’s online population has used the Internet to make a purchase, up 40 percent from two years ago, and more than half of Internet users are regular online shoppers, making online purchases at least once a month.

The Nielsen survey, the largest survey of its kind on the topic of Internet shopping habits, was conducted from October to November 2007 and polled 26,312 Internet users in 48 markets from Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East.

When The Nielsen Company conducted its first survey into online shopping habits two years ago, only 10 percent of the world’s online population (627 million) had made a purchase over the Internet. Within two years, this number has surged by approximately 40 percent – to a staggering 875 million.

The burgeoning popularity of online shopping is a truly global phenomenon. Online shoppers can be found scattered across the globe, but the world’s most avid Internet shoppers hail from South Korea – 99 percent of Internet users in South Korea have shopped online. German, UK and Japanese consumers come in a close second. US consumers are slightly more recalcitrant, clocking in at number eight. ...

Download Trends in Online Shopping: A Global Nielsen Consumer Report

PDF format, 1.2MB, 7Pages.

INSIDE
Online shopping figures gain 40% in two years
Books, clothing and footwear most popular purchases
Online travel gains momentum
Credit card still most popular method of purchase
Trust and Word of Mouth biggest influencers in store choice

Visit The Nielsen Company Website

About The Nielsen Global Online Survey
The Nielsen Global Online Survey is the largest half-yearly survey of its kind, aimed at gauging current confidence levels, spending habits/intentions and current major concerns of consumers across the globe. The latest survey, conducted from October to November 2007, polled 26,312 Internet users in 48 markets from Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

The survey is representative of all Internet users aged 15+.

About Nielsen Online
Nielsen Online, a service of The Nielsen Company, incorporates ten years of history in delivering innovative solutions to clients.

Formed by the combination of Nielsen//NetRatings and Nielsen BuzzMetrics, Nielsen Online provides independent measurement and analysis of online audiences, advertising, video, blogs, consumer-generated media, word of mouth, commerce and consumer behavior.

About The Nielsen Company
The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions in marketing information (ACNielsen), media information (Nielsen Media Research), online intelligence (NetRatings and BuzzMetrics), mobile measurement, trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek).

The privately held company is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and New York, USA.

For more information, please visit, www.nielsen.com