UK consumers spending online despite security concerns

One issue inhibiting success in the U.K. ecommerce sector is a general concern over security, a recent study suggests.

Conducted by Eurobarometer, a survey of consumers in the U.K. and other areas of Europe found that 55 percent are uncertain about the security standards protecting their financial information.

However, another 66 percent of respondents said they shop online on a regular basis. This suggests that, if the U.K. ecommerce market can establish a more secure image, it can expect an even larger share of overall consumer payments in the country.

According to a ShopSafe report, U.K. consumers are likely concerned with the risk of identity theft at the hands of a company that failed to protect their data.

"The real issue at play here is the question of information control, because many consumers feel impotent to manage the way in which their private data is used as soon as they pass it on to a retailer via safe shopping online," the report explained.

These security concerns have improved to the point that U.K. consumers are spending more online. The IMRG Capgemini E-retail Sales Index found U.K. ecommerce spending grew 20 percent from April 2010 to April 2011, reaching £5.2 billion.