The Netherlands’ online shops booked turnover of €6.4bn last year, up 17% on 2008, according to research institute Blauw.

But 2009 was the first year the growth in online retail turnover had failed to top 20%, the research showed. This year, growth is targeted to reach 15%.
Nevertheless, online shops outstripped the performance of the traditional high street, where sales fell almost 5% because of the recession.
On average, internet shoppers spent €737 and bought six items over the year. Travel accounted for the most sales – around one-third of total turnover. Telecom products and services were in second place at 11%, followed by insurance (9%).