Books book first place in internet purchases

The Maltese are not exactly known as bookworms but a new survey shows books are their most purchased online items.

Books account for one of every five online purchases, an e-Commerce survey by the Malta Communications Authority has shown. They are followed by IT and electronic goods at 13.7 per cent, DVDs at 10.8 per cent and CDs at 10 per cent.

The survey, annexed to the MCA market review, revealed some interesting facts about internet usage.

The main reasons given for using the internet for purchasing were "better prices" (35 per cent of total responses), followed by convenience and the fact that items bought online were not available here.

On the other hand, the main arguments given for not purchasing online were that respondents have not tried to carry out e-commerce transactions.

Most said they are still not interested in the idea of buying through the internet, others that they are afraid their credit card details might be stolen, while a number expressed an inherent preference to physically handle items before buying.

A total of 57 per cent of internet users had conducted an online transaction at some point, and 73 per cent of these had not experienced any problems doing so.

Just half of the 1,600 individuals interviewed said they used the internet. Among the reasons cited for not using the net, respondents said they did not have access to a computer, or that they did not need to use the internet.

A good number said they were not interested.