Status: 01/12/2023 10:49 am
Shopping in online stores has been more popular than ever since the Corona pandemic. But many buyers go into debt – especially women and younger people, as figures from the Federal Statistical Office show.
Because of the increased trend towards online shopping, more and more people are getting into the debt trap. 28 percent of the approximately 575,000 people who sought help from a debt advice center in 2021 had outstanding invoices from online and mail order companies. This was announced by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) today. Accordingly, the share increased by three percentage points within five years: in 2016 it was still 25 percent of a total of around 617,000 people advised.
Debt burden on average 587 euros
According to Destatis, the debts that over-indebted people had with creditors of the online and mail order business amounted to an average of 587 euros. However, this corresponded to just under two percent of the total average liabilities of all over-indebted people of 31,087 euros. In 2016, the average debt burden was 510 euros.
Women are more often and more heavily indebted as a result of online shopping. Almost 35 percent of the women who sought the help of a debt counseling center in 2021 had payment arrears with online and mail order companies. For men, the proportion was 23 percent. The average debt burden is also significantly higher for women at EUR 779 than for men (EUR 425).
Meanwhile, younger people order particularly often with a mouse click. They are also more likely to have outstanding debts. 38 percent of the 20 to 24-year-olds who are advised have debts with companies in the sector. The percentage decreases continuously with increasing age: while 34 percent of the 25 to 34 year olds still had payment arrears, the percentage for the 55 to 64 year olds was 21 percent.
Clothing and shoes are particularly popular
Shopping on the Internet is widespread in Germany. 81 percent of 16 to 74 year olds have already ordered goods or services online. There are only minor differences between the sexes: While 82 percent of men were online buyers, the proportion of women was 80 percent.
Clothing, shoes, accessories and sporting goods are particularly in high demand in online retail. Almost half of the population between the ages of 16 and 74 ordered products from this product group online in the first three months of last year.
Movies and music (29 percent) as well as food, beverages and everyday goods (21 percent) are also popular. 19 percent of Germans obtained books, newspapers and magazines via the Internet, 17 percent booked accommodation online.
Drop in sales just a temporary phenomenon?
In 2022, however, the online trade business faltered. The Ukraine war and the ensuing energy crisis as well as inflation reduced consumers’ purchasing power. According to the industry association bevh, the drop in sales from July to September alone was 10.8 percent.
However, experts are expecting a comeback this year. Many online retailers should therefore benefit from inflation. Because many people want to continue consuming, but pay more attention to their money. In e-commerce, fewer staff are required, which makes lower prices possible.