About 38% of the products sold offline are more expensive than similar products sold online, according to a survey by the Association of Romanian Online Stores (ARMO). The average price difference is about 6%.

For example, when purchasing a TV set from a physical store, consumers pay an extra RON 212 (EUR 45.5), or 6% of the product’s value. The average price difference for vacuum cleaners is also 6%.

The cost of a steam iron can be up to 12% higher in a physical store than online. Consumers lose about 4% on average when acquiring small appliances in a physical store.

“The difference in price between offline and online is due to the higher costs associated with the operation of a physical store, namely, rent, maintenance, warehouse, higher staff costs,” ARMO executive director Florinel Chis said.

Online retail sales are expected to reach EUR 2.8 billion this year, up 35% over 2016, according to Chis.

editor@romania-insider.com