1.75 million Chinese seniors shop online

With E-commerce booming in China, another group of online buyers has joined the game.

Figures from the China Internet Network Information Center show that people over 50 years old make up 10 percent of China's web users. And among them, 1.75 million seniors have had online shopping experiences. Given that the group has gradually increased their exposure to the Internet, their demand has become a new driving force for the online market in China.

Senior online shoppers are mostly residents in big cities, a reflection of the local economy. Topping the list are Shanghai and Beijing, which have the most senior online shoppers in China, each with more than 100 thousand. Most of their spending has gone to clothes, homeware, digital products, skincare and cell phone top-ups.

It's never too late to be passionate about new things.

62-year-old retiree Mr. Sun was amongst the first wave of internet-savvy seniors. Since he first started shopping online, he has been fascinated by the variety of deals to be had.

Mr. Sun, 62-year-old, Onilne shopper said, "I can get exactly what I want online at lower prices than at a shopping."

With his son's help, he learned how to create an account on Taobao, China's largest online shopping mall. He purchases mostly clothes, household goods and electronics. Normally, he saves about 10 percent by shopping online.

Mr. Sun, 62-year-old, On-line shopper said, "We've bought a lot of electronic products online. The quality is good. Even if the shopping malls are offering sales, things are still more expensive than online price."

But for 61 year old dancing teacher Mr. Yang, there are a lots of dos and don'ts to learn about shopping online. Experience tells him to be wary of extremely cheap things.

Mr. Yang, 61-year-old, On-line shopper said, "If I find something with a third or even a quarter of the price compared to buying it in a shop, I wouldn't trust it."

Data analysts from Taobao are convinced that senior online buyers have opened up a new market for e-commerce. With their adaptation to the online market, the sector looks poised to take off.