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IMRG survey finds online retailers in confident mood despite fears over European Consumer Rights Directive amendments

IMRG survey finds online retailers in confident mood despite fears over European Consumer Rights Directive amendments

 

The results of IMRG’s Online Confidence Survey for the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 has revealed a positive outlook for the market.

 

Surveying 332 respondents, 71% were confident that the excellent performance so far would continue, and even potentially improve throughout the remaining quarters of the year. A further 51% expected to record strong sales growth this year.

 

The proposed amendments to the European Commission’s Consumer Rights Directive (CRD) emerged as a major cause of concern however, with 69% believing that the proposals will have a negative impact on e-retail.

 

Capitalising on mobile growth

 

With the increasing popularity of mobile internet access and some estimating that it will overtake desktop access within a few years, 48% of e-retailers said that they were prepared for mass growth in the mobile-commerce channel. However, 51% of suppliers responding to the survey believe that there is still a knowledge-gap with regard to retailers’ understanding of m-commerce.

 

Social media channels are becoming increasingly important as their usage is so widespread, and the survey found that online businesses are aware of the importance of communicating through them. Nearly half, 49% of respondents said that they were confident using these channels, with only 5% saying they were not at all confident.

 

Andrew McClelland, director of operations and regulatory affairs at the online retailing trade body IMRG, said: “It is perhaps not surprising to see that online confidence is riding high following the first quarter of 2011, with the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index recording strong growth of over 20% for both January and February. Although this would seem to contradict the fears that the CRD amendments will have a negative impact on e-retail, this could be because any changes will most likely not come into force until 2012.”