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Office of Fair Trading
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OFT report says consumers and businesses could get more out of the internet
The OFT has today released its report into internet shopping. Download a copy from the OFT website : http://www.oft.gov.uk.
The report concludes that the rapid growth of internet shopping is a success story that benefits both consumers and businesses across a range of markets, but that both could do more to make the most of the opportunities it provides.
The UK internet shopping market is estimated to be worth over £21.4bn, and last year over 20 million people shopped online with nearly a third of them spending over £1,000. But the report also found that some shoppers could find better deals by searching more effectively, many could do more to protect themselves online, and most do not know that they have cancellation rights when shopping on the internet.
The OFT also found that many businesses did not know their obligations under the Distance Selling Regulations (DSRs) which provide additional protection for shoppers when buying online. Some businesses could also do more to address consumers' concerns about privacy and security.
The OFT will now work with consumer groups, businesses and other
public bodies to:
* ensure that businesses have easy access to
clear information and advice about selling online,
* advise
shoppers how to protect themselves from security and privacy
threats,
* make sure businesses address shoppers'
concerns in terms of avoiding the most frequent problems by
providing contact details and a secure environment, and
*
improve compliance and enforcement, to make the internet a safer
environment for buying and selling, and build consumer confidence
in internet shopping.
This work, to be developed over the next six months, aims to find the best ways to ensure that shoppers can feel confident and protected when buying online. More details will be announced by the end of the year.
John Fingleton, OFT Chief Executive, said:
'The internet
has added a welcome new dimension to competition in the economy,
as well as providing convenience for shoppers and new
opportunities to compare prices and find new products. However, if
online shopping is to continue to flourish, the awareness and the
protection of consumers' rights need to improve. The OFT is
committed to working with businesses, consumer groups and other
bodies to make sure that consumers can shop with confidence online.'
NOTES
1. The DSRs give extra protection to consumers who
purchase goods and services without face to face contact with the
trader. In particular, traders are required to provide their
contact details, and shoppers can cancel a purchase, provided they
do so within seven working days of receiving it and they take
reasonable care of the item. Guidance for businesses on distance
selling can be found at: http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft698.pdf.
PUBLIC enquiries: 0845 7224499 enquiries@oft.gov.uk
OFT
reports and consumer information leaflets are available free
from:
OFT, PO Box 366, Hayes UB3 1XB 0800 389 3158 oft@ecgroup.uk.com
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