Some 51% of the Dutch population have made at least one purchase online, compared with 47% a year ago and 36% in 2005, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.

The CBS estimates total internet sales will be between €4bn and €5bn this year, just a fraction of the total retail spend which is set to reach €88bn.
The CBS estimates some 90% of Dutch households now have internet, and nearly all of them have a broadband connection for high-speed internet services.