Extended delivery times are putting up to a third of consumers off shopping abroad, according to a new survey by Whistl.
It found that more than a third (34%) of shoppers are purchasing from abroad with 15% making an online purchase from an overseas retailer at least once a week. The main factor is price for more than half of those surveyed.
However, the extended delivery times put off 28% of all customers and nearly a third of women (31%).
A lack of brand recognition (21%), import costs (20%) and paying in foreign currency (11%) also put customers off.
The study showed that UK businesses are cashing in on international opportunities with 81% of British online business owners offering overseas delivery options. 37% currently offer European delivery options and 44% worldwide delivery options. However, this leaves nearly one in five British online businesses limiting themselves to UK only delivery.
Melanie Darvall, director of marketing and communications at Whistl, said: “It’s clear from this research that there is an opportunity for businesses both in the UK and abroad to maximise sales opportunities by offering borderless deliveries. Many are already taking advantage of this however and as online shopping continues to grow even more businesses will be able to tap into this market. It’s important that retailers continue to work closely with their consumers to ensure they are meeting their demands when it comes to delivery times and price and doing everything they can to meet the needs of the overseas consumer,” she said.
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