Chongqing ranks No. 5 in China and No. 1 in West China in terms of online shopping environment, according to China Online Shopping Development Environment Report, the first of its kind recently released by Taobao.
Cities in China are classified into six levels in the report in terms of online shopping environment by mathematical modeling based on factors including economic development, population, consumption, income and internet penetration, and comprehensive evaluation of more than 2,300 cities.
The number of online stores in Chongqing soared to more than 100,000 in late 2011 from 4,000 in 2008. In 2011, nearly 30% of netizens from second-tier cities preferred online shopping, according to Taobao. Driven by market competition, online shopping in Chongqing is expected to largely expand.
Qu Xinyan