Are you spending more online shopping than five years ago?

8:59 AM Thursday Jul 26, 2012

Digital image / P.K. Stowers

Almost two million New Zealanders are expected to use the internet for shopping this year, with a total of $3.19 billion likely to be spent online.

Internet shopping has grown by 19 per cent in the past year and a new transtasman survey has predicted that figure will continue to grow by more than 14 per cent annually over the next four years.

By the end of 2012, online shopping in New Zealand is predicted to reach $3.19 billion and to grow to $5.37 billion by 2016.

Are you spending more online shopping than five years ago? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

Megs () | 11:27AM Thursday, 26 Jul 2012

I buy nearly everything I need on line now except for groceries. Clothes, shoes, books, sports equipment, electronics and appliances. I can shop overseas for great deals on some items and others are worth buying in NZ online. The online shops I deal with have good returns policies and I've never had a problem. 5 Years ago TradeMe was probably the only online 'shop' I used.

wherearewe (Mt Albert) | 11:27AM Thursday, 26 Jul 2012

Of course. Thats mostly because NZ distributors & retailers make little to no attempt to adjust their mark-ups. The old days of wholesale price multiplied by 2x and then add GST just isn't competitive.

Sorry. You should never be able to buy something overseas, courier it, get it through customs and it still be cheaper than in the shops here. Someones ripping you off.

a kiwi saver (West Auckland) | 11:27AM Thursday, 26 Jul 2012

No I am not. I suggest a lot of people who do, would do better to buy from their local op shop. At least then they would be supporting a charity. And a lot of their purchases will end up there anyway.

We really don't have to buy,buy, buy the way we do and the 'consumer society' needs to find a less ruinous way to pass its time. Shopping as a pasttime and as a means of therapy has become an addiction for some. And it leads to debt, both personal and national.

We need to learn to get by with less and look for happiness elsewhere. It really is better and healthier to give than to receive.