A report by Nielsen//NetRatings found that the number of internet users
in Hong Kong visiting shopping sites increased by 40 per cent from just
over 505,000 in November 2000 to more than 707,000 in November last
year.
But the report also found that only four per cent of local internet users in the third quarter of last year had made an online purchase compared with Korea at 12 per cent and Australia and New Zealand at 14 per cent each.
Taiwan's online purchase rate stood at five per cent, similar to Hong
Kong levels, while Singapore at nine per cent showed the most
significant percentage increase.
Hugh Bloch, managing director, ACNielsen eRatings, North Asia, said the message to shopping site operators is that "internet users are using shopping sites for comparision shopping". He added that online security and the convenience of shopping in Hong Kong were hindering growth of online shopping.
