Bestsellers in the run-up to Christmas
This year’s online seasonal successes: books, CDs and DVDs
Data protection worries on the increase
More than eight out of ten online shoppers who do their Christmas shopping online fill their baskets with books.
Books come out tops in the online Christmas season
Books are the most popular choice of gift in online shops this Christmas season: 84 percent of internet users who purchase their gifts online are opting for literature. These are the results of a current online trend survey carried out by novomind AG and the specialists for survey and complaint management software at Inworks. In second place in the list of top Christmas gifts are music CDs, with 65 percent. DVDs and videos came in third with 47%.
Online shoppers are looking for well-known products and branded goods
Even at Christmas, online shoppers are searching for special offers. More than a third of those who participated see themselves as bargain hunters. 42 percent are looking specifically for products which they have seen in catalogs or in the high street. Brands also play a major role: one in three are shopping for branded gifts. 27 percent are hunting for gifts that are not readily available from other sources.
Advertising banners and shipping costs annoy online shoppers
However, for most customers, shopping online is not without its pitfalls. More than 80 percent of those who took part in the survey were annoyed by advertising banners and pop-ups. More than half criticized the high shipping costs incurred when purchasing online. And the complexity of the site structure in online shops irritated 51 percent of participants. In addition, 44 percent of those asked consider the online order process to be too complicated.
Low level of trust in online shop security
Many shoppers have security worries once they have filled their baskets and proceeded to check-out. Many are afraid that no adequate measures will be taken to protect their personal data. Just one in six internet shoppers has absolute faith in the level of security provided by the shop. Almost half of all customers only provide personal data when shopping with known providers. More than 35 percent prefer to shop anonymously.
Background information
In November, 2004 – together with specialists for survey and complaints management software, Inworks – novomind AG interviewed a total of 1,273 internet users about their online Christmas shopping experiences.
novomind: software solutions for professional customer communication
novomind AG is the leading provider for digital customer communication solutions enabling optimized processes and lower costs. The product department’s portfolio includes e-mail management systems, as well as virtual customer services assistants and systems for interactive communication in real time. The novomind services department develops complex e-business applications, including scalable online shop solutions. novomind’s products and solutions focus on future-oriented service, efficient and personalized communication, and higher-performance administration. A rapid ROI is guaranteed and ongoing, long-term customer loyalty ensured. Leading companies from across the market sectors – including Bertelsmann Der Club, Otto, Sparkasse Erlangen, BKK Gesundheit, Travelocity and Hannoversche Leben, as well as public sector representatives such as the German Federal Ministry of Health and Social Security (BMGS) – have already successfully implemented novomind systems to boost customer loyalty, turnover and public relations.