UK consumers spend more online than than their counterparts in Europe or the
US, according to a newly published survey of e-commerce in the US, UK, Germany
and France.
The study, commissioned by
RSA Security, found
that Britons spent an average of €231 during September 2005, compared to the
poll's average of €153. US consumers spent an average of €129 per capita.
But fears of online crime are still holding back spending. Some 16 per cent
of respondents in the US, and 13 per cent in the UK, said that they are spending
less than they used to, compared to six per cent in Germany and nine per cent in
France.
"With this year's ongoing wave of publicity around US-based data breaches and
online fraud, it should not be a surprise to anyone that the understanding of
these threats is highest in North America," said Art Coviello, president of RSA
Security.
"What concerns me is that, while the industry is working hard to promote best
practice and defence measures to our citizens, a high volume remain blissfully
unaware of what identity theft is, leaving them exposed to potential
exploitation."
The survey did find very low levels of awareness about online fraud; fewer
than half of those questioned were aware of what phishing
means.
But it is a lack of confidence in electronic retailers that is holding many
consumers back, the poll reported.
Nearly half of all the Americans questioned indicated that they had 'little
confidence' or 'no confidence' that their personal information was being
protected, and this also concerned two thirds of the French respondents.
Nevertheless the future for e-commerce looks good. Most people are buying
more online than they did last year, and two thirds of respondents are buying 'a
few more' or 'a lot more' items than last year.
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