THE number of China's online shoppers increased 83.5 percent last year with those living in central and western regions surging more than 105 percent, according to a joint research report released by CTR Market Research and China's largest online shopping website Taobao.

The money they spent also increased as statistics showed the number of consumers who spent more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,587) on Taobao last year grew 83 percent while those who paid less than 1,000 yuan grew at a slower 34 percent, Taobao said. Those who spend more than 1,000 yuan on Taobao made up a third of the total.

China's online shopping household spent an average 386 yuan on fast moving consumer goods in 2011, up 9 percent from a year ago, the report said.

Online expenditure on FMCG grew 48 percent in 2011, but made up only 1 percent of China's total consumer goods spending, which shows large growth potential.

Source:shanghaidaily