Shoppers prefer retailers with online option: survey

Consumer confidence in online shopping has increased, with 81% of Australians more confident shopping online now than in the past, according to a survey by online comparison shopping site GetPrice. And 71% of survey respondents said they prefer dealing with retailers that provide an online shopping option. "The message to Australian retailers is clear. They need to invest more in their online offerings," said GetPrice managing director Chris Hitchen.

The GetPrice.com.au survey conducted across the News Digital Media network also found:

- Cost savings (43%) and time savings (34%) were the top two reasons Australians preferred shopping online than in a retail store;
- Two in five Australians expect to find the best low-budget items online. This option was chosen above factory outlets, budget department stores and top dollar stores;
- Two thirds of respondents have never returned a product they bought online;
- The most likely items to be bought online rather than in retail stores are travel fares, music and DVDs, music/concert tickets and consumer and home electronics;
- Items most likely to be bought in a retail store rather than online are clothing and accessories, cars and food and beverages.

"Our survey results indicate that Australia's shoppers are considerably more confident than in the past shopping online and even if they don't purchase a product online, they expect to be able to do their research on the web before entering a retail store, and that includes looking at pricing information," Hitchen said.

Source: Inside Retailing

Sunday, 10 August 2008

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