Next-Gen Retailers Set Up Shop on the Web

Fear of crime, lack of funds, and concerns about attracting enough customers are driving the UK's next generation of retailers away from the high street and onto the internet.

A study commissioned by e-commerce software developer Actinic claims that budding retailers are scared of physical crime and that they are turning to 'e-tailing' instead.

While the UK remains a nation of shopkeepers, with four out of 10 would-be entrepreneurs citing running a retail business as the most favoured new business idea, 68 per cent said they would sell online if they had the necessary technical support.

Although UK shoppers spent GBP8.8bn online in the 12 months to July 003, according to figures from the Inter active Media in Retail Group, online fraud is costing retailers many millions of pounds each month. The National Hi-Tech Crime Unit believes that 50 per cent of businesses do no report e-crimes because of fears about the disruption it would cause. Many also believe that the police lack the resources to deal with the crime in the first place.

And while you cannot get mugged online or get bored standing in a virtual checkout queue, selling online can be more volatile without the proper back-up. The survey of 1,000 UK citizens over the age of 25 was conducted by Ipsos.