Benefits of online shopping

Internet shopping continues to grow!

The latest survey, based on figures from IMRG, Capgemini and the British Retail Consortium, said shopping in cyberspace had become more popular because consumers were being more cautious about their finances. This is growing daily as customers identify and gain the benefits of online browsing for information, evaluation of products and find online shops with the keenest prices. This is all to the detriment to stores actually in the high street and shopping centres. The total internet spend was £26.5bn, up 38% on the same period last year! Rising food and fuel bills and the credit crunch have forced shoppers to seek out bargains away from the high street stores.
Online Internet sales have reached nearly 20% of total retail spending, the report said.

- Broadband shoppers are driving online spend to record levels, with the number of shoppers with broadband access increasing, especially with the costs reducing dramatically.

- Women are outspending men online, with the sharpest bias seen in the Health & Beauty and Grocery sectors.

- More frequent online shopping is also being driven by retailer initiatives to improve the quality and reliability of their service…

… But price has overtaken convenience as the leading factor behind shoppers' decision to shop online.

Buying Online does have a number of potential advantages: these being Price, Convenience, Choice, Quick Delivery and Customer Service. It is no surprising that new buyers quickly learn to love Internet shopping once they have tried it.

Price:

Items are usually cheaper on the web because warehouse and staff costs are lower, and because online only shops want to attract and keep customers.
Existing retail park stores are passing on savings that they make to customers if they purchase on the Internet, a good example is Comet.
Another example of innovation is pcworld.co.uk who enables one to get "online prices" by ordering first, selecting the store that is holding stock, reserving the goods and then collect and pay at the store!
Obtain the best prices for insurance by submitting multiple quotes.
Compare products and prices at your leisure, remember, some stores have special versions of the same product.
Get the bargains and special offers that are not generally available in store or via the phone.
Businesses can order direct and communicate via "Business to Business" web shops using trading accounts to maximise purchasing power and minimise invoicing overheads.
Buy via an online trusted retailer who supplies the goods VAT free sent from a non-VAT location, e.g. the Isle of Jersey does not charge VAT on items bought in Jersey and there are certain tax and customs regulations that exempt consignments of goods of low value (under 18 GBP) from import VAT so there are no additional charges to your benefit. An example is Tesco Jersey whose prices also has the postage included within the price.

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Convenience:

Shopping can be much easier on the web. It can be done at Home, while at work (check if you are allowed first), on holiday or even in bed!
At a convenient time and be very quick.
Shopping at one's favourite stores even when you are miles away, this can even be shopping at any store within the European Union or anywhere in the world (If buying from outside the European Community, tax and duty, can often mean an item is not as cheap as it seems.)
Repeat orders are easy to arrange; food shops can remember your shopping list and favourite brands and deliver at a time to suit.
Shop around without the struggle of travelling around.

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Wide Choice:

Internet shopping allows you access to a wide range of shops all around the world, some of which do not exist on the High Street.
Greater choice of manufacturers, many high street stores can only stock items from a few manufacturers because of space and financial overheads.
Online shops also usually carry a much larger stock due to either large central warehouses or by direct source from distributors.
Buy direct from manufacturers such as Dell.

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Quick Delivery:

Most Internet sites are able to deliver within a few days.
Find those places which have stock and can deliver to meet your requirements.
Over the internet, you may have more information about stock availability than a shop assistant.
Many high street stores do not have store or stock rooms these days, only display models, and these will still deliver boxed products to your door just as if you ordered from your own Home over the internet!
Better delivery information, many suppliers provide tracking of your delivery.

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Customer Service:

Product Knowledge & Research is available in deeper depth on the Internet.
Get gift ideas for that special person or event.
Improved customer service, dedicated staff are available on the phone to assist with Internet ordering or complete the orders to the customer's satisfaction. Technology advances enable "Call me back" buttons so that a call centre member of staff calls the customer either immediately or at a pre-arranged time to offer assistance.
The latest consumer laws have greatly improved your rights when shopping via mail order and shopping Online.

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SAFE SHOPPING TIPS from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)'s Consumer Gateway (www.dti.gov.uk/consumer_web) - recommend the following: -

Payment: If your credit or debit card is used fraudulently in the EU, the card company must refund you.
Records: Keep a copy (print out) of what you've ordered, plus the supplier's confirmation message.
Quality: Your high street consumer rights apply online.
Cooling off: In many cases, depending on product purchased, in the EU the law lets you change your mind and get a refund within 7 working days of the delivery just like mail order.
Websites: Use ones you know or which are recommended - or look for the TrustUK logo. Get the supplier's phone number and postal address that should be clearly detailed within their website.

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