27 June 2005
More than half of adult Internet users are turning to search engines for shopping purposes, according to a new study.
Search engine marketing agency, icrossing, revealed that around 51 per cent of online adults are now occupying their surf time with shopping, a figure considerably larger than that recorded last year.
Of these people, 80 per cent admit to using the Internet because of its ability and efficiency in permitting price comparisons and product research.
The study also revealed that there isn't a particularly large gender difference among those looking for an online retailer or products although men are turning to the Internet more frequently than women for their shopping needs.
Around 75 per cent of men said they regularly research products online and make purchases through the Internet. This compares to only 65 per cent of women.
Less than half of the adults who use search engines for shopping look specifically for local retailers of specific products, the study added.
Experts have attributed the rise in popularity of Internet shopping to the industry's ever-improving time-efficiency and convenience factors.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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