Sabah, Sarawak Internet Users Spend More Time on Online Shopping

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Internet users in the states of Sabah and Sarawak spend 75 per cent more time on online shopping compared to those in Peninsular Malaysia, according to a study by IPrice Group. In a statement Wednesday, it said the study on online shopping behaviour among Malaysians also revealed that although users in the Peninsular outnumbered those of Sabah and Sarawak, they spent 11 per cent less time on it. “Online shopping has become more convenient and attractive in Sabah and Sarawak due to significant improvements in logistics and payment gateways,” IPrice said, adding, e-commerce also made it possible and easier for consumers to obtain products which were once inaccessible in the two states. The study also found that online traffic would peak during major festive seasons such as Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) and Chinese New Year. “Additionally, the rise of interest in e-commerce also made digital sale periods such as the ‘12/12 sale’ a popular event in Malaysia.It garnered the highest increase in online traffic compared to other festive and sale periods,” it said. The study also revealed that online users in the Peninsular were 10 per cent more likely to conduct their online shopping via smartphones, while those in Sabah and Sarawak prefered to use a desktop or tablet. “Telecommunications infrastructure is far more advanced in the Peninsular.Thus, those in Sabah and Sarawak prefer to shop online, using fixed-line Internet connections,” IPrice said. IPrice Group is a meta-search e-commerce website which enables Malaysian shoppers to connect with hundreds of e-commerce merchants and discover products, compare prices and get the best deals. -- BERNAMA