Caught in the shopping net

More and more Internet users in India are turning to e-commerce websites for shopping purposes.

More and more Internet users in India are turning to e-commerce websites for shopping purposes, with the numbers increasing during the festive season.
If you thought that half the fun during festive season lies in the shopping trips that you undertake, then, you are in a minority. Internet users are opting to shop from the comfort of their home, avoiding the rush in markets.
According to a survey by the Internet and Mobile Association of India, increasing numbers are now turning to e-commerce sites for shopping purposes.
While 55 per cent of users purchased online, 45 per cent indulge in "online window shopping." E-commerce transactions in 04-05 were worth Rs 570 crores and this year, are likely to increase to Rs 1,180 crore.
Says Preeti Desai, president, IAMAI,"Right now, people are inhibited but as the medium becomes popular, it will pick up."
What is stopping the window shoppers from making purchases from the websites?"Security is a big concern, with 24 per cent of the respondents saying they do not buy anything online as they fear they might be leaking confidential information while 22 per cent stated that delivery costs (were) very high," says the report.
A profile of online shoppers and window shoppers reveals that a typical cyber window shopper is either a post-graduate or a degree holder and aged between 18 to 25.
"The new generation values convenience and does not hesitate to use technology. But lack of spending power has restricted it to being a window shopper," adds Preeti.
Though e-commerce sites do a steady business through the year, the season beginning from Diwali sees customer traffic sky-rocketing.
Of the 516 online gift shoppers surveyed, 52% purchased books, accessories (48%), railway tickets (47%), apparel (47%) and electronic gadgets (42%)