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There has been much controversy over the security issues surrounding the
transmission of credit card details over the internet. In this survey we
asked respondents (mostly owners and managing directors of small firms
with internet web-sites, but including a few managers of very large firms)
their views on the subject. The chart (right) show that 63 per cent of respondents had personally given their credit card details over the internet in order to purchase goods or services. Owners and managers of larger firms were a little less likely to have done so, though still over half of those in firms with 50 or more employees had given their credit card details over the 'net. |
"Have you personally ever bought any products or services on the
internet by giving your credit card details?"
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Proportion reporting that their business allows customers to buy their
products and services on the internet by giving their credit card details
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Overall, just under 31 per cent of businesses with web-pages say that they
allow customers to buy their products and services on the internet by
giving their credit card details. The proportion varies widely by business sector, however, with well over three-quarters of wholesalers and retailers accepting payment by credit card over the 'net.
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However, many do not see why using credit cards on the internet is any
more risky than sending them by 'phone or fax:
One respondent summed up the situation with some frustration:
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The internet-connected firms taking part in this
survey report a slow-down in the UK economy over the past month. Some 57 per cent of the firms said that their sales were higher in November 1997 than in November 1996, while almost 22 per cent said that they were lower. The resulting balance (the proportion saying higher minus the proportion saying lower) of +35 per cent is considerably lower than last month (+47 per cent). |
"Was your sales turnover
in the month just ended higher, about the
same, or lower than in the same month last year?"
Note: Chart shows percentage balances (percentage saying higher minus percentage saying lower). Earlier surveys include late responses and so may differ from figures published elsewhere.
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"Were your average selling prices
in the month just ended higher, about the
same, or lower than in the same month last year?"
Note: Chart shows percentage balances (percentage saying higher minus percentage saying lower). Earlier surveys include late responses and so may differ from figures published elsewhere.
| The proportion of internet-connected firms reporting that their average selling prices were higher in November 1997 than in November 1996, 32.5 per cent, was exactly the same as the previous month. Only 6 per cent, however, said that their prices were lower. The balance of +26 per cent reporting higher prices is three percentage points higher than last month. |
Questionnaires are sent out and returned by e-mail each month. If you would like an e-mail to notify you each month when the latest e-survey is published, then please send an e-mail to e-survey@mccannics.co.uk with the subject SUBSCRIBE.
This fifth survey questionnaire was sent out on 1st December 1997 and by 6th December responses had been received from 114 businesses across the UK.
As well as covering issues of topical interest, the e-survey aims to provide an indicator of prevailing business conditions, well in advance of official statistics and traditional postal surveys, and it has already found a place in the Bank of England’s Quarterly Small Business Report. Increasing its value depends on it recruiting more volunteer UK businesses, willing to complete a very short e-mail questionnaire each month. Owners or managers of businesses in the UK which would like to take part in the survey should send a blank e-mail to: volunteer@mccannics.demon.co.uk.
All individual replies will be kept strictly confidential. Only anonymised results will be published, and your e-mail address will not be passed on to any third party.
Details of the sample were included in the first survey.
E-mail us with comments, queries or suggestions for future topical questions at: e-survey@mccannics.co.uk.
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