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

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

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