In the first quarter of 2007, 25 million Germans ordered goods or services over the internet. Thus, according to the Federal Statistical Office, 52% of private internet users shop online which shows that the internet is becoming more and more important as a means of shopping to private consumers. The number of private internet users shopping online has constantly increased by in total 19 percent since the year 2002.
The age bracket with most online shoppers is that of people between 25 and 44 years of age in which 63% order products online. Also interesting is the fact that in the age bracket of people over 65 years almost one third (32%) make online orders. There are gender differences too: the percentage of online-shopping men amounts to 54% while that of woman to 49%.
With regard to the products bought online more than half of those internet shoppers questioned (53%) said to have bought books, magazines or newspaper over the internet. Also very popular was the online purchase of clothes and sports goods (49%), followed by other consumer durables such as furniture or toys (48%). 41% of online shoppers use the net in order to buy travels, holiday accomodation as well as railway or air trips. More than one third (37%) bought motion pictures or music online. 57% of women purchased clothes or sports goods while men in particular bought computer softeware and computer updates, electronic devices and computer hardware over the internet. 