A new survey published today by Visa Europe reveals that €2.13 billion was spent on online purchases by the Irish adult population in 2009. Half of the people surveyed believe they can save up to 30% by buying goods on the Internet compared to the high street.
The average Irish shopper spends €1,450 online per year. More than half (53%) the respondents are more inclined to buy things online that cannot be purchased in Irish stores. The research found that flights and holidays are the most popular online purchase with 83% of respondents having purchased these in 2009.
Entertainment tickets were also popular with 67% of survey participants buying them online during the course of the year. CDs, DVDs and video games ranked as the third most popular item, with 52% of online shoppers stating that they had purchased them online in 2009.
Online shopping is highly popular among Irish consumers, with the average worker spending 55 hours per year browsing for goods or shopping on the internet between 9am and 5.30pm, which equates to more than one working week per year.
Online security also ranks highly with Irish consumers. 88% of online shoppers are confident that the Internet retailer they are purchasing from is reputable and reliable and 80% of survey participants know what security features to look for on websites.
Commenting on the research, Conor Langford, vice president, Ireland at Visa Europe, said: “People are turning to the Internet for all types of purchases. Whether it’s booking cinema tickets for a simple treat or buying flights for a much needed escape, consumers are shopping online because it’s convenient and secure.
“Apart from the competitive choice offered by Internet retailers, we are also seeing consumers shop online because they feel more confident about using their payment card in that environment. Visa cards provide additional consumer protection but only 62% of shoppers know what their consumer rights are when buying online, so we would always urge people to do their research if they are unsure.”
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