US consumers intend to spend $14 billion online in the third quarter of 2002, up 41% year on year, according to a survey by ACNielsen.
The latest
Internet Confidence Index report from Yahoo! and ACNielsen indicates that there is a growing mainstream acceptance of internet products, services and ecommerce in the US, with a stronger intent to purchase online than previously.
Overall, the Index has risen 13 points to 113 since the study was first conducted in June 2001 (with a starting baseline of 100). There was also a two points rise when compared to Q1 2002. Daily users continue to express the most confidence in the internet, though confidence among non-internet users is on the rise, climbing 15 points over the last year, says the report.
The results demonstrate a clear correlation between heavier internet usage, higher confidence levels and higher intended online spending. In Q3 2002, 53% of US users surveyed plan to shop online with an average spend per shopper of $199; this compares with 42% and a $184 average spend in the same period last year.
Men, generally known to be early adopters of new technology, continue to show slightly more confidence than women (116 versus 110 in the Index) and intend to spend more than women ($228 versus $167 in Q3 2002).
“Based on a year’s worth of findings, it is clear that e-commerce and the internet are becoming more and more a part of American society, both as a mass medium and a standard shopping channel,” said Travyn Rhall, managing director, ACNielsen International. “The best example of this mainstream trend is the fact that even those who don’t use the internet are rapidly gaining confidence in the medium, likely attributable to media exposure and word of mouth.”
