MEDIA-I: China leads region in shirking off worries over online shopping

<p>Bullish forecasts that China's internet market is poised for a </p><p>massive boom have been given greater credibility by new study which show </p><p>mainland consumers are more relaxed about making online purchases </p><p>compared to their Asia-Pacific counterparts. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Between 57 and 78 per cent of respondents in Hong Kong, Singapore and </p><p>Taiwan expressed security concerns when it comes to going online to buy </p><p>goods and services, trade in stocks and securities and conduct bank </p><p>transactions, according to findings by research company, NFO </p><p>WorldGroup. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>By contrast, between 35 and 40 per cent of mainland respondents in </p><p>Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai felt the same. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Respondents in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan were also generally more </p><p>concerned about problems with buying goods and services online. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Their fears are driven by the possibility that personal data could fall </p><p>into the wrong hands and the difficulty in arranging for a refund or </p><p>return - between four and 13 per cent in China, compared with five and </p><p>22 per cent in the other three markets surveyed. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Another big issue is the possibility of a wide expectations gap </p><p>(normally higher on the client side) since the real product can only be </p><p>seen after delivery. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In Hong Kong and China, just 13 per cent of respondents cited this as a </p><p>problem. Singapore and Taiwan showed a higher figure at 37 per cent and </p><p>59 per cent respectively. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>About one-in-10 respondents in Taiwan lamented the lack of product </p><p>choices on- line. The respective figures for China and Hong Kong were </p><p>eight and five per cent. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>ONLINE PURCHASE CONCERNS STILL AN ISSUE WITH CYBER SHOPPERS </p><p> Hong Kong Singapore Taiwan China </p><p> % % % %** </p><p>1 Buying Goods and services online 74 64 78 35 </p><p>2 Trading in stocks and securities 72 63 73 38 </p><p>3 On-line Banking 66 57 70 40 </p><p>* Transacting is defined as a moving money electronically over the </p><p>internet </p><p>** Sample taken of Shanghai, Beijing & Guangzhou. </p><p>Source: NFO WorldGroup. </p><p>EXPECTATIONS GAP AND PRIVACY ISSUES HEAD CYBER SHOPPERS' CONCERNS </p><p> Hong Kong Singapore Taiwan China </p><p> % % % % </p><p>1 Others will obtain personal data 18 5 22 13 </p><p>2 Cannot see the real product, the </p><p> description could be inaccurate 13 37 59 13 </p><p>3 Lack of product choice 5 - 10 8 </p><p>4 Non-specific Security concerns 5 5 7 - </p><p>5 Difficult to arrange a refund/return 5 14 7 4 </p><p><BR><BR> </p>