Buying Shirts Online for the First Time

Wednesday 15th of December 2010 12:10:35 AM

Buying Shirts Online for the First Time

The survey results of 2010 BT’s 21st Century Life Index revealed some surprising numbers. Though we tend to think that everyone except the very elderly and very young are using the internet to make purchases, it is not true. The survey revealed that up to 25% of UK shoppers have never shopped online. The expectation is that this number will drop steadily as more people come to trust the internet.

On the internet you can buy everything from cheap t-shirts to furniture. Most novices of internet shopping begin with groceries and clothing though, as evidenced by the rapid growth in these online sales. The survey was intended to measure how the internet is impacting UK shopping patterns and was completed specifically for BT Global Services UK.

The survey included the responses of 1,150 internet users. The managing director of BT Global Services UK, Laurie Bowen, was quoted as saying, "It is staggering that nearly a quarter of internet-users have never made a purchase online of any sort, especially in light of the well publicised cost savings and increased choice that can be found on the net. As the war for consumer wallet share intensifies, particularly in areas like the weekly shop, the internet will become a vital battleground. Retailers will have to work hard to ensure that their deals and promotions in-store are also attractive and competitive online."

One of the fastest growing online shopping segments is clothing. Ten years ago the same survey revealed that no one had used the internet to purchase clothing out of 553 respondents. The 2008 survey showed that 34% had used the internet to purchase clothing. Though these are impressive increases in percentages, there are still approximately 22% who have never used the internet to this day to shop.

In other words, there is still plenty of room for internet sales growth.

(c ) Image by Martin, www.sxc.hu/