A Third of local Internet users shop online

Websites' speed and reputation top factors in customers confidence

A recent MasterCard survey of online shopping behavior in Lebanon found that 31 percent of respondents made an online purchases in recent months.

The study showed that leading the online shopping trend were consumers aged 25 to 44. The survey also found that shopping via mobile device is growing in popularity, 14 percent of respondents said they had made a purchase using their mobile phones. According to the survey, 71 percent of Lebanese respondents who visit retailers' websites for online shopping said they visit sites of high-end products. 

The MasterCard Index on Online Shopping used a sample size of 500 respondents per market, aged 18 to 64. All those surveyed were part of the 'banked population', and accessed the internet at least once a week. The survey was conducted between December 2011 and January across 25 countries.

The survey also covered consumer attitudes towards online shopping. The results showed that 42 percent of consumers in Lebanon still do not feel secure shopping online.

However, 42 percent said that shopping online is easier than shopping from a catalogue or via telephone. Forty-three percent of respondents said they prefered to call a hotline for enquiries when shopping online. 

The survey singled out the top factors that impact online shopping as voted on by respondents: Speed of transaction (58 percent), reputation of website (57 percent), convenient payment methods (57 percent), and the price and value of items purchased (56 percent). 

Reported by Hanadi Chami