Online shopping avoided by more than 50 percent of UK shoppers

Whilst the Internet has changed our lives in many ways over the years, enabling many to enjoy convenience, ease, speed, and flexibility in many situations, it has been revealed that over half of the consumers in the UK actually avoid shopping online due to concern over the risks of shopping in this way.

Whilst many people wouldn’t think twice about shopping online, and indeed prefer the speed and convenience of shopping in this way, over 50 percent of the UK are too nervous to do this.

One of the main reasons that was given for avoiding shopping online by consumers was concern over the risk of becoming a victim of credit or debit card fraud. One thousand people were polled as part of the recent survey and around 66 percent of these said that security risks was the main reason that they were nervous about shopping online.

Speaking about the results of the study, one industry official said: “According to survey respondents, the most common source of information about the safety of online shopping is stories in the media, which naturally focus on crimes or losses of credit card information. But consumers also rely on friends and family for advice. About a third of survey respondents say that they or someone they know has been a victim of online credit card fraud.”

Another official involved in the research stated: “With the abundance of media coverage about security breaches, it is not surprising that some shoppers are frightened off. The challenge to the industry is educating consumers to shop safely, to minimise their exposure to fraud. As more people gain access to the Internet and realise the convenience, value, and safety of shopping online, I believe we’ll see a higher percentage trying and staying with this form of purchase.”

Tags: shopping, Christmas and holiday season, card fraud, reason, shopping online