NEW DELHI: A global survey carried out by one of the world's largest market
information conglomerates has ranked India 32nd in terms of Internet usage. A
survey carried out in 36 countries by the Internet research arm of Taylor Nelson
Sofres, the world's fourth-largest market research firm, has revealed that 13
per cent of India's adult population accesses the Internet.
The research is part of TNS Interactive's - Global e-Commerce Report 2001 based
on more than 42,000 representative interviews in 36 countries. Across all those
countries surveyed, there has been an increase of 50 per cent in the proportion
of Internet users who have shopped online compared with 12 months ago when the
first Global e-Commerce Report was published.
Key findings for India include:
Some 13 per cent of the Indian adult population has used the Internet in the
last month, with 18 per cent of males, and seven per cent of females doing so,
compared with the global adult population average of 31 per cent.
The proportion of the adult population that has used the Internet in the last
4 weeks has increased by three per cent since last year.
Some 10 per cent of Internet users say that they plan to buy or order goods
or services online within the next six months.
Taylor Nelson Sofres Mode managing director D P Basu of the Indian arm, which
carried out the study in the four metropolises in the country, said,
"Compared to the global average of 31 per cent, 13 per cent may seem low,
but it also shows encouraging growth. And this also shows the potential for
e-commerce in the country."
In terms of e-commerce and online shopping, India ranks 33rd at two per cent,
compared to an average of 15. USA heads this list with 33 per cent of its
Internet users shopping online followed by Germany, Great Britain, Norway and
Korea.
"These findings confirm that online shopping in India is starting to grow
and its potential is now being recognized by many internet users. At the same
time, companies which provide products and services online need to focus on
developments which both reassure customers on issues relating to security and
which aim to provide a more tangible shopping experience than at present,"
Basu added.
"These findings show that online shopping is continuing to undergo
significant growth worldwide, despite the much publicized problems of the
industry. In part, this is because of increasing confidence in online properties
- especially in the more established e-markets. However, it is also the result
of a growing number of users in emerging markets shopping online for the first
time.
What is encouraging is that the range of products and services purchased via the
Internet is increasing, and that there is a more obvious success in the
integration of offline and online activities. It appears that the e-commerce
world is realizing that it exists within an offline world and not in an
independent environment", added Basu.