Web news : Online sales continues to push, but the average basket level fall ( France )

The online business has continued to grow in the first quarter, rising to 14% of its turnover, although the average spend per buyer fell to a record low, announced Thursday the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad).

In the first three months of 2012, the amount of online sales reached $ 12.1 billion, a 14% increase.This growth was driven by the increase in the number of transactions (20%) and online shoppers (5%), especially among the 65 (27%).

At the same time, the number of commercial sites also continues to grow (18%).

With nearly 19,000 new sites created online sales over the past year, France now has 120,000 active site e-commerce, says Fevad (Fédération e-commerce et vente à distance )
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End of 2012, there was in France 31.7 million online shoppers (5% in late November), and 117,500 merchants active sites (17%). Sales amounted last year to 45 billion euros (19% after 22% in 2011). 
E-commerce represents approximately 8% of all retail in France. For 2013, the Federation expects a new global sales up 18%.

However due to the decline in purchasing power, the average spend per transaction is decreasing. 
After a decline of 3% in 2012, the first quarter of 2013 saw the purchase amount decreased again by 4% to 85 euros.

This "is the lowest amount ever recorded," says oversized, recalling that the average amount of orders on the internet has lost nearly 8% over the past two years.

However, e-retailers are optimistic, expecting a 74% increase in sales this year, according to the latest survey published in March Fevad.

Indeed, the decline in the average purchase amount is for the moment still offset by the increase in the frequency of orders, which reached a "record" level.

It goes from 4.8 to 5.5 purchases per quarter and cyber-buyer, for an average total of 467 euros against 427 euros in the first quarter of 2012.

Proof of this beautiful health sector: ICE 40 Index, which measures sales of 40 leading e-commerce sites in France have increased by 2% in the quarter (after 4% in the fourth quarter of 2012).

In a "dismal economic climate," online sales of clothing sector, already severely affected by the crisis in the store, down 7% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

The area of ​​e-tourism succeeds however to maintain its growth (4%) as well as sites of technical products (2%).

The "market place" (multi-platform space independent sellers, professionals or individuals) increased sharply (+50%), the amount of their transactions now represent 12% of sales sites that host, against 8% a year.

"The internet sales mobile terminal also continue to grow strongly," added oversized, adding that the leaders sites, mobile and tablets transactions have doubled in the last twelve months.

Source AFP ( Agence France Presse ) through Boursorama.com