CReATION: Asian Web shoppers to spend 80% more

<p>A survey by IDC has found Asian Internet users will be spending 80 </p><p>per cent more online in the next 12 months, bringing a long-awaited </p><p>boost to ecommerce in the region. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, according to IDC, these opportunities will only be profitable </p><p>to sellers that understand the preferences, and more importantly </p><p>differences, of Asia's Internet users and Web buyers. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Asia's surging base of Internet users and ecommerce revenue will </p><p>present lucrative opportunities to Web sellers that understand the Asian </p><p>Internet economy and its diversity," said Mr Dane Anderson, </p><p>vice-president of Internet research at IDC Asia-Pacific. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"However, companies that do not understand the complexities, uniqueness </p><p>and limitations of Asia's Web buyer population and its components will </p><p>travel a rocky road. The surest path to failure is a strategy based </p><p>solely on lessons learned in more developed markets." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>According to the survey, Asian Web users will be looking to buy books, </p><p>CDs, computer hardware and software in 2001. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>These products were also hot selling items this year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Further, the study found Internet users in Asia were more likely to </p><p>spend huge amounts of money online once they actually began to </p><p>spend. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Web buyers spent an average of USdollars 800 online in the past 12 </p><p>months, and according to the survey, plan to increase their spending to </p><p>USdollars 1,450 in the coming year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Korea led the region in terms of online spending, followed by Taiwan and </p><p>Australia/New Zealand. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Unlike the US, Internet usage in Asia is skewed towards a few key </p><p>demographic segments. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The survey found the typical Internet user in Asia was aged between 19 </p><p>and 34, representing 80 per cent of Internet users. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Further, 76 per cent of users were male with a household income of less </p><p>than USdollars 15,000 per year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The major concerns of Asian online shoppers were credit card security, </p><p>fears of dealing with disreputable sellers, the touch and feel </p><p>preference, and a lack of discretionary income. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The survey also confirmed Asia's strong preference for local language </p><p>websites, particularly in the pivotal markets of Korea, China and </p><p>Taiwan. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The report was conducted in August and September this year, and surveyed </p><p>40,000 Asian Internet users in more than 10 markets across Asia-Pacific. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>