BEIJING -- Total transactions and their monetary value rose sharply during the just-concluded online shopping spree, according to Chinese online payment clearing house NetsUnion Clearing Corporation (NUCC).

A total of 26.18 billion transactions worth 16.91 trillion yuan (about $2.38 trillion) were carried out during the so-called "618" online shopping festival from June 1 to June 18, up 52 percent and 42 percent, respectively, from last year.

The number of transactions on June 1 hit 1.6 billion, a single-day record, said the NUCC.

According to the clearing-house, the COVID-19 epidemic has reinforced people's habit of shopping online.