Global internet retail sales topped $US1 trillion ($962bn) for the first time in 2012 with the United States holding the top spot but China rising fast, a market research firm has said.
The report by eMarketer said ecommerce consumer sales grew 21.1 per cent to just over $US1 trillion, and are expected to grow another 18.3 per cent in 2013, fueled by strong growth in Asia.
The research firm said North America remained the top region for ecommerce in 2012 with $US364 billion in sales, up 13.9 per cent.
But for 2013, the Asia-Pacific region is likely to be number one with 30 per cent growth, which would bring the market to $US433 billion, eMarketer said.
US ecommerce sales for 2012 were estimated at $US343 billion, with Japan in second place at $US127 billion, followed by Britain ($US124 billion) and China ($US110 billion).
But China was projected to vault into second place with 65 per cent growth in 2013 to $US181 billion. The US will remain the top market but growth will slow to 12 per cent, for a total of $US384 billion.
"Average spending per user is lower in China -- set to reach just $US670 this year," eMarketer said in a statement. "But the sheer growth in China's digital buyers is staggering. The country will nearly double the number of people who buy goods online between 2012 and 2016."
The data used by eMarketer includes retail sales, travel sales, digital downloads purchased via any digital channel but excludes gambling and event tickets.
