E-commerce adoption increases in 2008

Research by Actinic has indicated that significant increases have been seen in the adoption of e-commerce since the 2006 survey (published in January 2007).

However, operating across multiple channels where outlets are selling online and taking orders via the mail or phone is lagging behind, with only 25 per cent of retailers in this category.

The seventh Actinic retail market survey was undertaken by PFA Research on a sample of 277 randomly selected small and medium-sized retailers, of whom 96 had e-commerce websites.

Key findings are that the number of retailers with e-commerce websites has risen to more than 35 per cent, from 11 per cent in 2006 - confirming trends reported by bodies such as the IMRG.

Of those that do not have an e-commerce website, 22 per cent claim they have firm plans to launch one.

26 per cent of businesses questioned operate across three channels (the high street, e-commerce, and mail or telephone orders.

34 per cent of all businesses sampled have electronic point-of-sale in store.

Of the remainder, 13 per cent state they have firm plans to implement a system.

Chris Barling, chief executive officer of Actinic, said: 'Times are tough for retailers so I'm sure that the take up of e-commerce will be significant in 2009 as it is the only channel where profits and growth are still on the up.

'However the use of integrated software applications across multiple channels is still limited to a minority of retailers, so there is a clear market here.

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