Sofinscope – Online shopping: a reflex for nearly 3 out of 4 French people, accompanied by new consumption habits
Buying online has become a reflex for the French: 73% order products online every month and they have new expectations in relation to this mode of consumption. For nearly half of them, it is mainly for economic and practical reasons that they order online, and for 54% of the French, it is possible to reconcile online purchases and eco-responsible values. Payment methods are also crucial in the shopping experience for eight out of ten French people.
• Almost all French people have already made purchases online (98%) and nearly three quarters do so every month (73%).• Nearly half of respondents cite the attractiveness of promotions (48%) and time savings (46%) as the main assets of online shopping. • Making online purchases is compatible with the respect of its eco-responsible values for more than half of the French (54%).• 85% of French people value payment methods when they want to buy a product online and more than a quarter even consider them decisive.
Online purchases favored for economic reasons and in connection with new consumption habits for nearly 1 in 2 French people
In just a few years, e-commerce has become a key pillar of the economy. With a record turnover of 175.3 billion euros, 2024 marks a new phase of growth for this sector, up 9.6% in France compared to the previous year*. The Sofinscope barometer shows that this enthusiasm affects all French people, since nearly three quarters buy every month online and 17% do it even every week.
The democratization of online shopping has transformed consumer habits, impacting consumers’ needs and expectations. Online shopping allows the French to better manage their expenses and give them flexibility and comfort in their purchasing practices. Nearly half of the respondents cite the attractiveness of promotions (48%) and time savings (46%) as the main assets of online, as well as the ability to easily compare prices (40%).
In fact, they prefer online purchases for products and services that they would take longer to obtain in-store (due to queues, for example), for which they would have fewer choices available or less attractive prices. They buy on the internet mainly stays and trips (78%), books and music (62%) and computer products (49%). On the other hand, in-store shopping is more about items that are easier to choose or that should be tried: furniture (80%), jewelry (78%) or bedding (75%).
French people making online purchases are multiplying the tricks to achieve savings. Three quarters of them search the Internet for promotional codes (75%) and buy from brands for which they have a loyalty card (74%). In addition, nearly half use cashback sites (46%).
54% of French people think it is possible to combine online shopping with a desire to consume better
Making online purchases is compatible with respecting its eco-responsible values for more than half of French people (54%), and 19% of them consider that there are enough responsible alternatives.However, this is not obvious: 38% of respondents say that it is difficult to be certain about the eco-responsible practices of e-commerce sites. Finally, it is the experience and the use of websites that make it possible to find solutions. French people who frequently make online purchases (at least once a week) consider that it is possible to combine consumption on the Internet and ecology (66%).
Payment solutions also count in the shopping experience
Eight out of ten French people value payment methods when they want to buy a product online (85%) and more than a quarter even consider them to be decisive.
The possibility of paying with an electronic wallet plays an incentive role in the decision to buy for more than a third of the French (33%) when the possibility of paying in several times also counts for 22% of them.
On the other hand, more than half would be discouraged in the event of complicated payment procedures (63%), a delay in accepting the financing file (52%) to finalize their purchases or by the absence of payment facilities (42%).
The development of online shopping goes hand in hand with new expectations from consumers, who want more choice, instantaneity, autonomy and innovation. Sofinco, which aims to be the leader in point-of-sale and e-commerce financing in France, supports its partners to offer a seamless shopping experience with more flexible and diversified payment solutions, such as payment in installments.
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Sofinscope – OpinionWay Barometer for Sofinco
Data published by FEVAD in February 2025
About SofinscopeSofinscope is the barometer of Sofinco, a Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility brand. Intended to survey the French on their consumption habits and to better understand them, this barometer which is part of the daily lives of the French is carried out by OpinionWay for Sofinco, with representative samples of the French population.This study was conducted on a sample of 1,028 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The sample was selected according to the quota method, taking into account the criteria of sex, age, socio-occupational category, agglomeration category and region of residence. The interviews were conducted from 5 to 7 February 2025 by self-administered online questionnaire on a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) system.
All results are available online on the website : Sofinscope: the barometer of consumption and daily life by Sofinco
About Sofinscope
In France, Sofinco is the trademark of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, which distributes a wide range of loans to individuals and associated services across all distribution channels: direct sales, point-of-sale financing (home equipment) and partnerships. Sofinco offers flexible, responsible solutions tailored to the needs of its customers and partners (major retail, specialized and institutional retailers). Google’s UX Finance 2023 Benchmark has awarded Sofinco.fr the title of “Best Mobile Customer Journey”.
For more information:www.sofinco.fr