WASHINGTON, Jan 1: More women than men now shop online, according to a report released on Tuesday that found the average consumer was spending more money on electronic commerce sites.

For years men have been more likely to shop over the Internet than women, but in the 2001 holiday season 58 per cent of those making online purchases were women, according to a report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Women also were more likely to enjoy the experience, with 37 per cent reporting that they enjoyed shopping online “a lot” compared with 17 per cent of men. Twenty-nine per cent of men polled said they did not enjoy shopping online at all, compared with 15 per cent of women.

The report contained more good news for struggling dot-coms as Internet users reported spending more money and said they were more comfortable with online shopping than last year.

The average online shopper spent a total of $392 in 2001, up 19 per cent from $330 in 2000, the report said. In all, 29 million people bought gifts online during the 2001 holiday season, up from 20 million in 2000.—Reuters