OFT to improve net use

Office of Fair Trading is to provide guidance for firms, and consumers using the internet

The Office of Fair Trading has completed an investigation into online shopping. The body found that although the internet has been a major success, service providers could do more for consumers and businesses alike.

Internet Shopping: an OFT market study, said that although the amount of shoppers, and the amount they are spending is high, £21.4bn, and 20m respectively, consumers were not savvy enough to make the most of the opportunities that the new commerce platform has to offer.

It said that shoppers were not searching the internet effectively, could be doing more to protect their own security, and were unaware of their consumer rights when shopping online.

This last comment may be good news for firms, who the OFT said, also did not know their obligations under acts such as the Distance Selling Regulations. Businesses were also criticized for not doing enough to protect consumers privacy and security.

The OFT said that it would begin working with consumer groups and businesses to improve these issues. More details will be released towards the end of the year.

The report (a pdf) is available from the OFT web site.