Netherlands in EU top online shopping

Substantial increase in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, electronic shopping or e-shopping increased by 20 percentage points in the period 2004-2008. This is the largest increase, along with the United Kingdom, in the EU. As a result, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Denmark are among the EU countries where online shopping is most established.

Growth is lowest in the two new EU member states, Romania and Bulgaria, and in Estonia. After a strong rise in e-shopping between 2004 and 2006, e-shopping in almost all countries in the EU increased only slightly from 2007.

Largest share of Dutch e-shoppers buy regularly

Within the group of Dutch people who store electronically, frequent e-shoppers are in the majority. Their number is more than twice that of the less frequent buyers via the Internet. Especially highly educated men aged 25-44 buy regularly via the Internet. This is in contrast to less educated women aged 65-74.

Travel, vacations, books, clothing and tickets

Most online purchases involve travel, vacations, literature, clothing and tickets to events. There are not many differences in online buying behavior between men and women. However, women do buy more clothing and sporting goods than men, and men prefer electronics and software. Gambling remains the least popular for both.

By far most Dutch people e-shop in the Netherlands

More than 93 percent of e-shoppers make their purchases from individuals or companies within the Netherlands. About 17 percent also buy online from other European countries, and nearly 10 percent also order goods or services outside Europe.