Online shopping is a hit in Southeast Asia

(Aug 29): Thailand has seen an explosion of internet shopping in recent years as consumers become more tech savvy. And if that’s anything to go by, e-commerce in Southeast Asia is taking off as well.

Online retail sales in Thailand of everything from washing machines and televisions to fish sauce are growing more than 100%, far outpacing purchases made at traditional stores, where sales are rising about 10%.

That’s down to a combination of stronger and faster internet speeds in the country and the success of online merchants, like Lazada. Thailand’s third-biggest mobile-phone company, Total Access Communication, estimates that Thais spend up to six hours a day on social media websites, like Facebook and Youtube.

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