PayPal finds Japanese consumers are least likely to buy from international online merchants
Ipsos carried out research on behalf of PayPal on the online and cross-border shopping habits of consumers who own and/or use an internet enabled device in 29 countries.
In most regions, cosmetics and clothing was found to be a highly popular category for cross-border shopping with Asia-Pacific leading the way with the most beauty purchases.
The market researcher's findings reveal that within the region, Japan has a lower volume of cross-border shoppers, at 12 per cent whereas China’s consumer class was found to be massively entering the global online e-commerce market.
"About 35 per cent of Chinese online shoppers claim to have shopped cross-border in 2015, vs. 26 per cent in 2014, while the country's overall online shopping population saw modest growth (81 percent of online adults report having shopped online in the last 12 months in 2015, vs. 80 percent in 2014)," the report stated.
PayPal's recent efforts has simplified overseas buying for China
With an increase in cross border purchases from China’s online shoppers, Paypal recently partnered up with card issuer, 'UnionPay' to provide a direct link between billions of consumers and the system’s network of millions of global merchants.
Up until that point the bank card was not recognized or accepted by most foreign online merchants and was causing problems for shoppers looking to access international products.
The rise of online shopping
According to a recent report published by China's largest e-tailer Taobao.com; 2015 witnessed explosive growth in online shopping overseas, with new buyers accounting for 28 per cent, and with a preference for local specialties in other countries and regions.
The research carried out over a ten year period reveals that online shoppers in China have expanded their foothold to more than 100 countries and regions in 2015.
The most sought after products were reported to be cosmetics and skin care products, which have been bought by more than half of that 28 per cent of buyers.
"Newcomers prefer cosmetics while more experienced ones like food," the report stated.
Previously, Chinese buyers were thought to prefer shopping websites in Hong Kong and Macao but have now switched their attention to the likes of the US.
