Pitney Bowes Study Reveals U.S., U.K. And Germany Are The Most Desirable International Shopping e-Destinations

New global, online shopping research from Pitney Bowes Inc.

reveals that cross-border ecommerce is gaining traction with nearly 40 percent of consumers having purchased goods online from another country. The market opportunity for online retailers looking for a global foothold remains significant. According to the 2014 Pitney Bowes Global Online Shopping Study, the U.S., U.K. and Germany are the most desirable e-destinations for consumers to purchase goods online outside their own country. As a result, retailers based in these countries are in a great position to tap into this trend to expand their reach to global buyers. Australians are the most likely to buy products online from retailers outside their own country (63 percent) followed by Canada and Russia (both 54 percent). Surprisingly, shoppers in South Korea (21 percent), China (19 percent), and India and Japan (both 15 percent) ranked highest in believing they can only purchase goods online from retailers in their own country. While nearly all respondents (96 percent) have made an online purchase, the relatively low cross-border purchases highlight an opportunity for international retailers that want to capitalize on the $1.5 trillion market opportunity (citation: eMarketer). The Pitney Bowes research reveals that consumer misperceptions around cross-border shopping represent a valuable opportunity for global retailers to raise awareness around the ease and accessibility of online shopping. “Retailers looking to expand their businesses online to international markets should consider the unique mindsets and shopping preferences of consumers in each country,” says Craig Reed, Vice President of Global Ecommerce, Pitney Bowes. “In addition, it's critical for retailers to provide buyers with clarity and accuracy in the online buying process, certainty and transparency in delivery, and competitive pricing. Once these barriers to consumer confidence are overcome, the opportunities and appetite for buying goods outside their own country can increase dramatically.”