Internet sales have been increasing exponentially that this year; the sales hit £13 billion in the first three months, which is a 50% increase over the same period from last year (Fortson, 2008). Another survey claims that online retail sales will grow from 5.2% of total retail sales in 2007 to 13.8% by 2012 (Thompson, 2008).
Internet shopping a convenient way for buying items from the internet at competitive prices compared to local stores. What is drawing people online is the perception that the internet is cheaper and that they can shop around to get bargains and lower prices. Broadband is also cheaper and it has broadened the spectrum of people who can shop online (Thompson, 2008).
But buying from internet websites can be very risky because of lack of security. Reports from Microsoft say that the internet is still 41% vulnerable and even trusted websites can be redirected to fake websites made by hackers that steal credit card information and therefore creating an identity theft (Markoff, 2008). Another problem is the reliability on items being delivered undamaged and working properly and that’s why 40-55% of shoppers survey online for mobiles but go in person to buy the products (kay, 2008). Distribution of the products can also cause problems as lots of companies deliver around the United States and Europe only and the ones that can distribute outside these countries could have the delivery cost with up to 7 times as much as it costs in US and Europe.
