The approaching New Year is also boosting online shopping. The recent activity benefiting consumers and businesses alike, is playing an increasingly important role in the domestic economy.

 

This year, consumers' shopping sprees are different than in previous years. An increased number of them are opting to stay at home and shop on the Internet, which offers bigger discounts and a wider selection of products.

Consumer Ms. Fu said, "At first I just wanted to give it a try. But later I found it convenient. Not only I can buy daily necessities, I can also book flights and hotels. "

It's not just individual consumers that are benefitting from the boom - a growing number of businesses are also going online....and making bigger money thanks to new Internet platforms.

A deliveryman said, "Previously I made 20 express deliveries each day, but now I deliver about 30 to 40. "

Flower dealer Xie Yaorong said, "With the electronic trade platform, we can sell flowers to Canada and even Bangladesh. Our volumes are double what they were."

According to a report by Alibaba, a major Chinese online shopping portal, online commerce created more than 1.3 million jobs in 2009.

Analysts say as the industry becomes more mature, it will make an even greater contribution to the economy.