Canadian Business sees continued increase in on-line sales!

According to StatsCan's 2004 Survey of Electronic Commerce and Technology, online sales by Canadian companies and government departments has continued to grow for the fifth consecutive year, but e-commerce still accounts for less than 1% of total operating revenues for private businesses. In 2004, combined private and public sector online sales increased 49.7% from $18.9 million to $28.3 million. When StatsCan first recorded on-line sales in 2000 they were only $5.6 million.

Data from the survey show that almost three-quarters of Canadian firms were using high-speed (broad band) Internet in 2004, up from just under one-half in 2001. The largest use of on-line buying has been business to business. Sales to households accounted for 24% of the value of online sales by large firms. Small firms (less then 20 employees) reported that 41% of the value of their online sales was to households. It seems the small firms benefit more from household web site sales than large firms. In 2004, 37% of Canadian firms had a Web site, growth from 34% in 2003 and 32% in 2002. 38% of retail firms have a web site and 48% use a web site to purchase items

In 2004 53.4% of manufacturers used the web site to purchase goods or services while Arts, entertainment and recreation were purchased on line 59% and accommodation 24% of total on line purchases