Online sales leap in Tibet during shopping festival

Online retail sales in the Tibet autonomous region saw increases during this year's Double 11 (Nov 11) shopping festival, rising by 29.8 percent year-on-year to 1.88 billion yuan ($259 million), China News Service reported.

Online sales of goods reached 1.72 billion yuan between Oct 20 and Nov 11, accounting for 91.7 percent of the total, the region's commerce department said on Sunday.

During the shopping festival, the top online commodities were jewelry and gifts, food and beverages and household appliances, accounting for 33.6 percent, 31.6 percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.

Online retail sales of the region's rural e-commerce businesses reached 560 million yuan, down 20 percent year-on-year but still accounting 29.8 percent of the region's total online retail sales.

Additionally, retail sales of the region's livestreaming e-commerce reached 310 million yuan during the period, increasing by 314 percent year-on-year. Retail sales included more than 600,000 items.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the region's online shopping was robust, according to the department.

Drolma Yangzom, a resident of the regional capital Lhasa, said she usually prefers online shopping as it is so convenient.

"During the last three months, even though they were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, most express delivery services were back to normal in recent weeks," the 36-year-old said.

"During the Double 11 shopping festival this year, I bought some winter clothes and face masks for my family, and I hope I will get all my packages soon."

She added: "Online shopping is very popular in our lives today, as some goods are more expensive at physical stores here."