A survey published by the European Commission today has found that consumers are increasingly making purchases across EU borders but remain wary of cross-border online shopping.
The Eurobarometer survey, carried out in February and March 2006 - with some 25,000 respondents across the EU - found that 26 per cent of EU citizens made at least one cross-border purchase in the last 12 months, compared to 12 per cent in 2003, before the accession of ten new states.
Of those surveyed in Ireland, 33 per cent made at least one cross-border purchase, of which 43 per cent purchased items worth between €100 and €499. Four per cent purchased items with a value between €1000 and €4999 while 1 per cent made purchases with a value over €5000.
The survey found that most cross-border purchases (19 per cent) take place when consumers are on holidays or business trips.
However, the survey reveals that Europeans are less confident purchasing from providers based in other European Union countries.
While 'own country' online shopping is becoming more popular (in the last 12 months, 27 per cent of citizens made an e-commerce purchase in their own country and 50 per cent of those with internet access at home did so), this online confidence has not yet developed on a cross-border basis.
Only 6 per cent of EU citizens made a cross-border online purchase, and only 12 per cent of those who had an internet connection at home did so.
Of those surveyed in Ireland, 19 per cent purchased online from a seller located in Ireland while 12 per cent purchased from abroad.
Of those with an internet connection at home in Ireland, 47 per cent made an online purchase over the previous twelve months.
Around two-thirds of EU citizens surveyed felt that there are more risks or difficulties if they buy goods and services from suppliers in other EU member states.
Some 71 per cent of Europeans think it is harder to resolve complaints when buying from another EU country while 68 per cent fear there is more risk of falling victim to a fraud or scam when buying from abroad.
Clearly there is some way to go before consumers feel as confident in making an EU cross-border transaction as a domestic one. There is plenty to be done both towards increasing consumer confidence and making it easier for businesses to reach consumers throughout the EU.
Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said: "Consumers appear to be more confident shopping online but not yet from websites in other Member States. We have more to do to boost consumer confidence but also to help businesses overcome obstacles to market and sell their products cross-border."
