Half of the public have used internet for e-commerce - survey

Seventy-four per cent of those who have used the internet for e-commerce have shopped online, a survey commissioned by the Malta Communications Authority has found.

Four in 10 of the people who have bought things over the net were aged 18 to 29.

It is one of two surveys the MCA commissioned from Ernst & Young. One was among the public, the other was specifically aimed at the providers and enablers of e-commerce.

The MCA will now be using information obtained from the surveys for an awareness campaign to be launched in April/May. The surveys will be held regularly.

The survey among the public found that 48 per cent have used the internet for e-commerce. Besides internet shopping, this includes use of e-government services and internet banking.

Again, nearly four in 10 of these were in the younger age group.

The most popular items bought online were books, CDs, electronics, clothing, auctioned items and mobile top-ups.

The reasons given for buying online included better prices, convenience and lack of availability locally.

Seventy-five per cent of online buyers only bought from foreign sites, nine per cent used only Maltese sites and 16 per cent used both.

Many of those who did not buy from Maltese online shops said it was because they preferred to go to these shops in person. Other reasons given were that Maltese online outlets were limited and were more expensive than foreign ones.

Most online buyers preferred to pay by credit card. And 82 per cent declared they had never had problems buying online.

Others, however, cited the non-arrival of goods, delays in delivery and damaged goods as problems they had encountered.

Asked what precautions they took when buying online, most respondents said they chose secure sites. Another answer was that they bought from companies they trusted.

In the survey among e-commerce drivers and enablers, those interviewed said their motivation for setting up included remaining competitive, filling a void in the local market and bolstering the image of their company.

Many companies interviewed said they believed e-commerce would continue to grow rapidly in the coming years but some questioned whether this growth would be across the board or sector specific.

The MCA is extending the deadline of the consultation period on e-security to the end of April.