For the first time, Dutch shoppers spent more than €20 billion online last year, according to a new report from the Thuiswinkel Markt Monitor.

Net shopping rose by 23% compared to 2015, the report said, with a notable spike in the three months before Christmas 2016. Shoe shopping was particularly popular, with purchases of €926 million (although returns are not subtracted from this figure).

While Dutch shoppers spent €20.16 billion online last year, they are ever less likely to tread the streets, reports NOS broadcaster. Physical shopping dropped by 1% in 2016, and shoe shops have seen a notable decline.

The latest study was conducted for Thuiswinkel.org by research organisation GfK and PostNL. Gino Thuij, of GfK, said in a press release: ‘The strong growth is largely due to a better economy, increasing consumer confidence, and the disappearance of major chains from the high street.’

Bol.com, part of Ahold Delhaise, reported ‘strong sales growth’ in 2016 earlier this week, and its competitor Coolblue is expected to report similarly positive results, says NOS.