Online retail sales forecast to double in 2013

Sales in China's online business-to-customer retail sector could hit 785 billion yuan ($126 billion) in 2013, nearly double this year's amount, researchers estimated on Wednesday.

They added that large B2C platforms such as Tmall and Jingdong Mall are set to strengthen their lead.

"Tmall and Jingdong Mall have gradually become the driving force of the nation's e-commerce industry, replacing the customer-to-customer model represented by Taobao.com," said Chen Shousong, an analyst with research company Analysys International.

Turnover in the country's B2C e-commerce sector is projected to reach 470 billion yuan in 2012, a jump of 95.8 percent year-on-year, according to an Analysys International report.

Over the past six months, the sector witnessed the most furious competition it has ever seen, with price wars in mid-August and a series of year-end promotions.

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