Online shopping transactions in September neared a record 15 trillion won amid the COVID-19 pandemic and due to the Chuseok thanksgiving holiday.

According to the latest data by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, the amount of online shopping transactions totaled 14-point-seven trillion won, the largest since the agency began compiling related data in 2001.

The monthly amount jumped 30-point-seven percent on-year, tying a record from October 2018.

Money spent on purchasing foodstuffs and groceries surged 76-point-eight percent, while spending on food deliveries and other services expanded a whopping 91-point-one percent.

Spending on necessities jumped 58 percent, and home appliances, electronics and communication devices by 39-point-eight percent.

Reflecting reduced outdoor activity due to the pandemic, however, money spent on traveling and transportation declined 58-point-six percent and culture and leisure activities by 74-point-nine percent.