Thursday, September 17, 2009

Why are Indians apprehensive to online shopping?

The Internet provides a progressive dimension to most of the industries on global platform. The retail industry has also benefited from its online version which has resulted in the growth and expansion of the sector worldwide. In India, e-commerce has been on a slow track in comparison to other parts of the world. There has been a visible growth in the e-retail sector yet the industry is being seen in its incipient stage.

Earlier, the reasons cited for the weak response towards online shopping was blamed on the lack of Internet facilities and inadequate online transaction facilities available in the market. Since then, there has been technological boom in India. Now, the Internet is easily accessible to urban India and even rural pockets are getting Internet accessibility at select places. Growth in the credit card industry and other online transaction methods has also been a boon for e-shopping.

Despite the recent developments, response to online trading and transaction has been feeble in this part of the world. Some of the reasons which potentially work against the industry in India include: – Bargaining is not possible – Product trial is generally unavailable – Insecurity surrounding the credibility of a shopping portal – Delays in product delivery – Lack in the variety of products – Social networking is restricted – Preference to real-time shopping for get-together The above mentioned reasons clearly indicate that apart from online activities like travel ticket booking and online broking, e-commerce still has a long way to go before earning the faith of the consumers.

More innovative and tangible options are still awaited before the shopaholic appetite of the quintessential Indian is satisfied by these virtual stores.

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