£7,000 – that’s how much Island households are now spending on average a year

  • Jersey households spending an average of £7,000 a year online
  • Statistics in Jersey Post’s 2014 annual report reveal nearly half of Islanders now buy clothes and furniture online
  • We asked Islanders about their online shopping habits – watch the video
  • Do you spend £7,000 a year online? Take part in our poll

JERSEY households are spending on average in excess of £7,000 a year shopping online, according to new figures – but local retailers say there is still a future for shopping in the Island.

Statistics in Jersey Post’s 2014 annual report reveal that nearly half of Islanders are now buying goods such as clothes and furniture over the internet – up to seven per cent more than in the UK.

And according to the figures, which have been compiled by the Guernsey-based company Island Analysis, the average online spend by households in Jersey was more than £7,000.

Two out of three respondents to their survey said the amount they spend online had ‘increased’ or ‘increased a lot’ over the past 12 months.

Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham today said that ‘innovation’ helped businesses to grow but called on Islanders to continue to support local companies.

However, one of the Island’s most prominent retail bosses said he is not worried by the statistics and said that shop owners must treat online competition the same as any other.

Gerald Voisin, owner of Voisin’s Department Store, said shops must offer something unique that consumers cannot get online.

He added that his company were working on a technology that would allow customers to video-call staff so they can view products available in the shop from the comfort of their own home.

‘The thing about retail is there are a lot of well-known international suppliers, companies and manufacturers that do not want their products to be sold online and they produce some lines that they don’t allow retailers to sell online as they want to protect bricks and mortar retailers,’ said Mr Voisin, who believes there will never be a day when shops become obsolete.

‘I think for any more considered purchases people want to speak to somebody, they want to have that face to face contact.’

Mr Voisin added that although he felt the statistics must not be ignored he stressed that because 50 per cent of Islanders buy items online it does not mean they do all of their shopping on the internet.

He believes that only around 20 per cent of retail sales are made on the web.

‘We will introduce tablets on the sales floor so if you want to view what we have got you can, from anywhere there is a wi-fi connection.’

Senator Lyndon Farnham said the pressure being felt by conventional retailers from their online competitors was not unique to Jersey.

‘They have to up their game and Jersey retailers are doing just that but there is still a lot of work to do.

‘It is important for the States to support the industry as much as we can, but we have to be mindful of the consumers, so we must ensure there is competition.

‘It’s really important that Islanders support local businesses whenever and wherever they can.’

Sam Voison (19) from New Zealand

‘Stuff is pretty expensive back home,

so it’s cheaper and more convenient to shop online.

‘I spend probably about 400 bucks, which is about £250 a year, online.

‘I think that the statistic is outrageous.

‘That’s a lot of money.

‘The last thing I bought online was my plane ticket to come to Jersey.’

Samantha Gleave (47) from St Martin

‘I shop online quite a lot because it’s convenient, and often the customer service is better.

‘I probably spend £10,000 a year online.

‘I think that the figure for £7,000 per household spending online every year is probably accurate.

‘The last thing I shopped online for was some rust remover this morning.’

Tim Moyes (63) from the UK but working here visiting retailers

‘I do shop online, I find it convenient.

‘If I’m honest I spend around £1,000 a year online.

‘I think that £7,000 per household is a fair amount.

‘It depends on disposable income

I guess, and how much they’ve actually got.

‘The last thing I bought online was printer ink.’

Christine Gennon (67) from St Helier

‘I shop online mainly for catalogues because they’re a different from the high street in Jersey.

‘I’d say I spend £200 a month online.

‘£7,000 seems a lot, I wouldn’t have thought it was as much as that, but then I might be in the minority compared to a lot of people who use Amazon and all those other places.

‘The last thing I bought online was a bedside cabinet a week ago.’

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