CNN Custom News logo [LINK] Home World U.S. Weather Sports Business Sci-Tech Showbiz Lifestyle alt On Target Customize Profile Help Feedback Switch User [ISMAP] InfoSeek [INLINE] October 16, 1997 3:29 am GMT [INLINE] Sci-Tech Title [INLINE] Ad Space ________________________ ___Word ___Theme ______________ Options [INLINE] The story below was selected from CNN Custom News - a new personalized service that delivers only the news that's important to YOU. Sign up now to receive your personal news stories, weather, sports scores, and stock quotes from over 100 different sources - all for FREE. If you're already a user, please login. Custom News NEW SURVEY SHOWS BIG RISE IN INTERNET USE, BUT NOT FOR SHOPPING LA Times 14-OCT-97 Consumers Don't Trust Internet Enough To Share Their Credit Card Information ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1997-- More than one out of three Americans have become users of the Internet during the last year, primarily for information gathering, but decidedly not for shopping, according to a national survey reported today by a leading consumer researcher. "There is clearly something addictive about the availability of galaxies of information for the asking," said Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group, the firm that conducted the research project, in his keynote address before the 21st Century Commerce & CALS Expo USA at the Orange County Convention Center. "However, it's a very different story for shopping," he adds, "where very few people (2.8 percent ) feel comfortable in using the Internet to make a purchase in cyberspace." Beemer, who pioneered the influence of fear of crime on shopping with his annual survey on the subject, says he is "surprised more people weren't actively patronizing the Internet to eliminate worry about their personal safety, particularly for shopping at night." When asked about the degree of trust they had for shopping at a store in the mall compared with a purchase via the Internet, respondents opting for the store (72.1 percent) outnumber Internet shoppers (6.7 percent) by more than ten to one, the survey indicated. According to Beemer: "Most people (77.9 percent) are reluctant for security reasons to give their personal credit card data via the Internet to a virtual salesperson, but many others (26.9 percent) don't want to buy something they can't see and touch; 14.9 percent say they always buy in stores; 11.6 percent report they like to pay cash; and 11.1 percent simply enjoy shopping too much to let their computer have all the fun." The few products that do sell at all via the Internet include computer software, books, apparel, and home furnishings, but the percentages of people actually buying are nominal, Beemer says. Consumer use of the Internet to get information in influencing various purchasing decisions does appear to be increasing, with many people (45.9 percent) reporting they sought information prior to shopping, and 9.6 percent indicating they were searching for both information and advertising. Those who use the Internet say the reason they do so is to acquire information (68.4 percent); to chat with and meet people (7.1 percent); and to keep track of their finances (6.1 percent). When it comes to information gathering, 41.0 percent are seeking the news of the day; 23.7 percent are getting data on companies; 12.8 percent are looking for help in school work; 6.4 percent are checking out stock and bond prices related to their financial status; and 5.8 percent are surfing for travel information, the study points out. "There is some hope down the road that people's fears and concern about using the Internet for various personal business purposes will ease," says Beemer. "When asked whether they would expect to make financial transactions in the future, nearly six out of ten said `no,' but nearly 10 percent (9.4 percent) answered in the affirmative," he reports. The survey was conducted during the last week of September, 1997 of a national sample of 1000 respondents. Of this number, 41.7 percent had no access to a computer either at home or at work; 24.6 percent both at home and at work; 17.7 percent at home; and 15.9 percent at work, only. The study has a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percent. America's Research Group is a leading consumer research firm, headquartered in Charleston, S.C. Its staff has interviewed three million Americans over the past dozen years, giving ARG the largest database of retail trends in America. Britt Beemer is the author of PREDATORY MARKETING, published early this year by William Morrow. Search the net: InfoSeek ___________________ ____ [Help] [INLINE] Ad Space Top Copyright © 1997 Cable News Network, Inc. A Time Warner Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Terms under which this information is provided to you. [INLINE]