A survey has revealed that the internet has brought a dramatic change in in the way people shopped. More and more people are using the internet to do their shopping online and this is because of the convenience of doing the online shopping. While five years ago, people are rather sceptics and felt insecure of using their credit cards to do online shopping, nowadays their perceptions are different. With the security of doing online shopping is getting better and the technology is advancing, people are feeling that online shopping today is much secure than say, five or six years ago. The survey also agree that consumer confidence in online shopping has greatly improved.

Broadband will also be an important factor in this. With more people subscribing to broadband and availability is much easier, more people are expecting to use the internet to shop online.

However, with regards to security of online shopping we cannot be complacent. Whilst the security of online shopping may be better, the unscrupulous people will always find some loopholes to penetrate the security and putting people's information such as credit cards,addresses and other private information at risk.Therefore those companies that provide websites certifications really must keep updating their technology for at least one step ahead.

Popular Products

The survey also indicated that there are seven products that are going to record phenomenal growth sales. The products include flowers, jewelry, luxury goods, sporting goods, food and beverage, home goods, health and beauty products and apparels.The sales of the last three are mainly driven by women who now doing more online shopping than men.

Apart from that, other products that registered double digit growth including computer hardwares and softwares, ticket sales and books. The entry of large grocers into home delivery of online shopping has also driven food and beverage sales.

Advantages of Online Shopping

Whilst online shopping gives us convenience of shopping at home, the advantages to retailers may not be so obvious. Marketing costs for online sales are generally higher than for store or catalog sales. This is because the retailers need to spend higher on promoting their products to attract more customers to do online shopping. There will be a lot of discounts and bargain prices to be offered to customers so that they are willing to shop online.

Nevertheless, with the rapid development of technology and much easier availability of broadbands throughout the world, online shopping will be the way of the future.

SURVEY FINDINGS

94% have bought online compared to 37% five years ago
67% surprised by how much they use the internet now
Nearly half think that 40% of purchases will be online in five years time
74% say internet usage has soared
85% buy more often now than five years ago
96% believe the internet has made it easier to buy goods and services
..Extracted from BBC.