Greek e-shops showing improvement in services, confidentiality, study finds
Of the 4,500 to 5,000 e-shops currently doing business in Greece, two-thirds offer full, reliable services and safe exchanges, a study due to be presented on Thursday has found.
The annual study by the E-Business Research Center (ELTRUN) for 2013 notes significant improvements in local online shopping sites compared with 2012, particularly in the areas of terms of use, security and protection of personal data, returns policies and the use of social media for promotion.
There is, however, a small percentage (10 percent) of online stores that do not meet standards and should be avoided by consumers, ELTRUN warns.
The study also found that while a steadily increasing number of Greeks are shopping for goods and services and online, the percentage remains low at 35 percent as they are still wary of making electronic purchases.
ELTRUN stresses that e-shops need to work on building a stronger bond of trust with consumers.
The center notes that one in 10 online stores continue to provide no details of their business (such as an address and telephone number for inquiries) and should therefore be avoided, adding that seven in 10 have succinct policy and confidentiality clauses that make online exchanges more secure.
As far as esthetics and how user-friendly Greek online shopping sites are, the study has found that 58 percent meet international quality standards, while progress is also being made in offering additional delivery services and a more flexible returns policies.
