0 We could get more out of the internet

Author: Piers Parker
29th June, 2007

A hefty (170 pages) new report from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) concludes that the rapid growth of internet shopping is a success story that benefits both consumers and businesses across a range of markets, but that both could do more to make the most of the opportunities it provides.

The UK internet shopping market is estimated to be worth over £21.4bn, and last year over 20 million people shopped online with nearly a third of them spending over £1,000.

The OFT will now work with consumer groups, businesses and other public bodies to:

• ensure that businesses have easy access to clear information and advice about selling online.
• advise shoppers how to protect themselves from security and privacy threats.
• make sure businesses address shoppers’ concerns in terms of avoiding the most frequent problems by providing contact details and a secure environment.
• improve compliance and enforcement, to make the internet a safer environment for buying and selling, and build consumer confidence in internet shopping.

This work, to be developed over the next six months, aims to find the best ways to ensure that shoppers can feel confident and protected when buying online. More details will be announced by the end of the year.

To read the report in full visit: OFT report says consumers and businesses could get more out of the internet

Entry Filed under: E-commerce News