Internet shopping takes growing slice of Irish spend
Published: 01 February, 2007
A new survey has revealed the majority of Irish online shoppers are women and aged between 30 and 50. The survey, from DCU, showed 70 per cent of shoppers are female, while 65 per cent are aged between 30 and 50.
About half of those surveyed spent an average of between ?50 and ?150 per transaction, with 29 per cent shopping monthly and 15 per cent mostly shopping weekly.
The most frequently purchased items are CDs and DVDs at 27 per cent, while airline tickets were a close second at 24 per cent.
The researchers found that 70 per cent of shoppers use a broadband connection, while 59 per cent shop from home and a further 38 per cent surf the net for purchases while they are at work.
The survey, conducted in association with online retailer Buy4Now and its sellers, found consumers were not impressed with offers of compensation for faulty goods and privacy emerged as a bigger concern for shoppers than for vendors.
Overall, the research found that the sellers had a more positive view of the service they are providing in terms of perceived value and quality than their customers did.
