Ernst & Young: Online shopping gets some good news

Key points:

• Online cosumers are worried about shipping costs and are price sensitive
• 75% of UK and German consumers and 74% of those in the US have bought something online in the past year

According to analysis by Ernst & Young, summarised by Nua Internet Surveys, despite the high-profile closures of several online shopping sites, consumers are increasingly shopping online

A recent study by Ernst & Young reveals that consumers continue to be very satisfied with online retailers and are shopping online in increasing numbers. This is despite the recent high-profile closures of a number of online shopping sites and their unpopularity with investors.

Although online consumers are spending more on a wider range of products, they are worried about shipping costs and are price sensitive. Online consumers are increasingly buying "high-touch" products such as clothes, health and beauty products, sporting goods, flowers and toys.

The survey gathered data on online shopping habits in 12 countries--Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents had bought something online in the past year, with this figure rising to 75% for UK and German consumers and 74% for those in the US.

Male shoppers dominate globally, but in the US women make up 60% of online shoppers and almost 50% in Canada and Australia. In a wake-up call for traditional retailers the study found that more than half of shoppers visit shops less frequently thanks to online shopping.

Source: Republished by the EIU ebusiness forum with the permission of Nua Internet Surveys, a leading online resource for Internet trends and statistics.