ZAANDAM, 27/09/06 - Internet sales of the Dutch home shopping sector totalled 1.33 billion euros in the first half. This is a gain of 25 percent from the year-earlier figure, figures released yesterday by Blauw Research show.

Over five million customers in the Netherlands made online purchases in the first half. This included 700,000 using the Internet for shopping for the first time. The average buyer spent 259 euros, up from 243 euros in the same period last year.

More people used the Internet for purchases because more shops have been added, among other reasons. Consumers also increasingly consider online payments safer. This is related to the introduction of the iDeal payment system by a number of banks, according to Blauw Research.