SEOUL, July 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea logged the second-highest online shopping in May thanks to soaring online purchases of cars and solid demand for mobile devices and cosmetics, statistical ministry data showed Wednesday.
Shopping in cyberspace grew 10.3 percent from a year earlier to 25.01 trillion won (16.1 billion U.S. dollars) in May, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It marked the second-biggest monthly figure since relevant data began to be compiled in 2017.
The online sale of cars and car accessories jumped 40.8 percent amid surging online purchases of models from the U.S. automaker Tesla.
Online demand for mobile devices and cosmetics spiked in double digits, but that for travel and transport services retreated in single figures amid higher oil prices caused by the Middle East tensions.
Online purchase of daily necessities, home appliances, computers, clothing and sports items recorded a single-digit expansion.
Online transaction of e-coupon service mounted 15.8 percent amid a strong trend to provide gifts such as coffee and cake through e-coupons.
Shopping through smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgets gained 9.7 percent over the year to 19.29 trillion won (12.5 billion dollars) in May, accounting for 77.1 percent of the total online shopping. ■
