Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Internet Merchants Fight Back Against Fraud

Online shopping hit record levels in July 2007 with internet sales soaring to £4.2bn up from £2.34bn in July 2006 according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG). With 15.2 million UK households (61% of homes now having an internet connection and 53% of internet users surveyed by National Statistics having bought goods online, it seems that internet shopping will continue to rise further.

However according to a report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) 79% of web users are still "very concerned" about the security of their payment details when shopping online, an estimated 3.4 million internet users avoid ecommerce and are willing to miss out on potential online savings because of "a lack of trust or fears about personal security".

InternetRetailer.biz, one of the UK's leading providers of eCommerce web shops for home and business retailers, have partnered with PayOffline to eliminate the risk of fraud and enable Internet merchants to accept orders from customers who prefer to pay in their local high street.

Supported by the Alliance and Leicester, PayOffline is an innovative new payment solution enabling customers to buy goods and services online without credit cards and pay by cash or debit card offline at any high street payzone outlet.

InternetRetailer.biz Chief Executive Officer David Geran stated "Gaining customer confidence and trust are paramount to achieving online success. By enabling our shop keepers to offer PayOffline to their customers, they can offer peace of mind and security as well as extend the reach of their eCommerce web shops to a whole new market of cautious Internet users.

We have been very impressed with the ethos behind PayOffline and their drive to empower all Internet shoppers to benefit from both the competitive prices and strong levels of service our shop keepers provide for all of their customers."

Steve Berry, MD, PayOffline commented: “We believe PayOffline has mass market appeal and extensive research indicates that there's a huge pent up demand from all sections of the UK population. PayOffline will also make Internet prices available to everyone and provide a safe and secure payment option without the risk of fraud or identity theft.

We are backed by great companies, including Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank and are fully committed to working with retailers of all sizes to bring PayOffline to the UK mass market. We are delighted to have forged partnerships with leading eCommerce service providers such as InternetRetailer.biz, Actinic and CubeCart".

Contact:

David Geran

Internet Retailer
3 Downhams Tower
217 Milton Road
CAMBRIDGE
CB4 1XQ
United Kingdom

info@internetretailer.biz
http://www.internetretailer.biz

Telephone: 01933 426 380

Internet Retailer offer ongoing jargon free support and help in finding suppliers, trade shows, setting up trading accounts and marketing your Internet shop.