UK online shopping needs to add services says Verdict

NEWS Online shopping in the UK is set to grow nearly 150 per cent this year, according to a survey by retail analyst house, Verdict. The report predicts that by 2003, online sales will be worth £6.1bn - 2.5 per cent of total retail sales - and will become the fastest-growing sector of British retailing. The survey says over a million people shopped on the Net last year, with the average age of Web shoppers rising. Verdict claims the number of 15 to 24-year olds shopping on the Net has dropped dramatically because of the slowness of the Web, the lack of innovation in sites and because "overall excitement factor can be very low". Verdict also claims retailers should turn away from focusing on low prices. Instead, they should 'add value' by offering more services than just online sales. These could include detailed product information and comparisons, reviews or even, for books and music, samples. Verdict claims customers like the Internet for ease of use and speed rather than just for low prices. The report also reveals that of the 100 largest UK retailers, only 47 have a Web site and only 14 of those let you buy from them.