Shop Online? Security’s Still a Worry for S’poreans

MR ZAK Lo is a rarity among Singaporean Internet surfers - he goes online from time to time to buy fashion and art magazines that are hard to come by here.

But, he says, he is no regular online shopper.

Said the sales and marketing manager, 26: 'I still like the idea of looking at the goods first before I buy.'

That need to see and touch before buying is one reason only 21 per cent of the 1.27 million Internet users here shop online, according to figures from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) .

International research firm IDC gave a slightly higher figure, putting it at 24 per cent.

Even so, the number is very small. In Europe, for instance, 49 per cent shop online, while close to 60 per cent of Americans do so.

The main reason for the low take-up rate here: concerns about online security, which bother even regular roamers of cyberspace shopping malls.

Take Mr Lucius Tan, for example. The insurance manager, 35, who has been shopping online for two years, says he is careful about where he shops, making sure he buys only from reputable online retailers.

Mrs Anne Tan, 57, a secretary, is typical of the Singaporean surfer. She has not shopped online at all, even though she surfs regularly. 'I simply don't trust it. I suppose I don't like the idea of not knowing what's happening and, besides, you can find most things here.'

IDC senior analyst Nathan Midler explained that that even though there are safeguards in place, such as high-end encryption software, one bad experience is all it takes to turn people off.

Rumours and hearsay also add to the perception of the Net as an unsafe place to shop.

A need for instant gratification also turns off some potential customers, as shipping to this part of the world often takes several weeks unless a buyer is willing to fork out big bucks for courier delivery.

Not all the barriers are erected by Singaporeans, though.

Some websites that provide e-commerce services to online retailers, such as www.cart server.com and www. merchantfraudsquad.com, have included Singapore in a group of 'blacklisted' countries seen as likely sources of Net-based credit card fraud.

Despite all these factors, things may be looking up. IDC's Mr Midler says online shopping here is growing, albeit slowly. 'Some things simply cannot be purchased here,' he said.

So, what are Singaporeans who do shop online buying?

Movie and concert tickets (35 per cent) are a big draw, followed by travel packages, and then food and groceries.

Said Mr Midler: 'As people get more familiar with the technology and that fear of the unknown is eroded, we expect the numbers to increase.'