SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's online shopping rose in single digits in August due to soaring demand for cars in cyberspace, statistical office data showed Wednesday.
Shopping in cyberspace grew 6.6 percent from a year earlier to 22.48 trillion won (16.5 billion U.S. dollars) in August, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
It marked the highest August figure since relevant data began to be compiled in 2017.
The record figure was attributed to surging online purchase of new models from the U.S. carmaker Tesla. The online sale of cars and car accessories jumped 55.1 percent in the cited month.
Transaction of food and beverage in cyberspace gained 5.8 percent, and those for agricultural, livestock and fishery products expanded 8.7 percent.
Online demand for food delivery service increased 9.0 percent, while those for cosmetics and mobile devices rose in double digits.
Online transaction of e-coupon service swelled 8.6 percent amid lingering trend to provide gifts such as coffee and cake through e-coupons.
Shopping through smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgets mounted 8.9 percent from a year earlier to 17.85 trillion won (12.7 billion dollars) in August, accounting for 79.4 percent of the combined online shopping. ■