The value of having an online retail presence cannot be underestimated.

Online retail is one of the key reasons why many firms have been able to survive the economic downturn thus far, new research has found.

According to a study by Ebay, 79 per cent of businesses believe that being able to sell goods via the internet, which may require the use of parcel delivery providers to transport them, has proved invaluable in what are difficult times.

More than 80 per cent of those companies surveyed claimed that trading online would make bricks-and-mortar enterprises more sustainable.

The research also revealed that 42 per cent want an improved postal service, although their parcel delivery needs could be satisfied by firms such as Parcel2Go.com.

Mark Lewis, managing director of Ebay UK, said the importance of online retail cannot be underestimated.

"There's no doubt the internet has transformed the way we shop and has challenged retailers, both online and offline, to raise their game to meet ever higher consumer expectations," he stated.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium recently revealed that online retail rose by 18 per cent in the year up to October.

Written by Rob Elliott


Article Added: 13/11/2009 16:21:43