53 million online purchases every year in Catalonia

Online shopping continues to grow in Catalonia, with 53 million purchases made every year, three quarters of which are delivered directly to homes.

On average, customers who buy over the internet make 17.8 online purchases a year, which translates into 2.9 home deliveries every second.

In all, there are some 39 million home deliveries every year, with customers picking up 15% of their purchases from local drop-off points.  

The figures come from a government-commissioned study presented on Tuesday by the head of the government's commerce department, Muntsa Vilalta.

Reducing impact on environment

Vilalta said the executive's objective is to raise the numbers collecting purchases from drop-off points to 25%, to reduce the impact of deliveries on the environment.

The study suggests that nine million deliveries in Catalonia (23%) are "logistically absurd," as some 15% of home deliveries fail and require a second visit, while 8% of home visits are to return a product.

Vilalta insisted that the public must become more aware of the "negative effects" of online shopping, and argued for more 'Click & Collect' points in city centers.

The government's aim is for half of online consumers to be aware of the environmental consequences and for all towns in Catalonia to have at least one drop-off point by 2020.