Growing the EU’s Online Economy

Jan 30, 2012
EU
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Policy Watch
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January 30th, 2012
Growing the EU’s Online Economy

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Proposals to encourage more online commerce would make it easier to shop on the Internet across the EU – contributing to economic growth and job creation. Electronic commerce offers many potential benefits for consumers and businesses: lower prices, increased access to goods, development of innovative services and creation of new jobs.

Online purchases account for about 3% of all retail business in the EU, but many barriers remain to the further development of a seamless Internet marketplace across its 27 member countries.

For example, the rules governing online sales are often ignored or unclear, sites do not provide enough information for consumers, and it can be difficult to compare prices.

Such problems can turn consumers away from shopping online, despite the potential savings (currently estimated at around €11.7bn annually for purchases of goods). More people could benefit if there were a safer, more open Internet marketplace.

The Commission is proposing 16 measures aiming to double online retail sales by 2015 by providing better protection for consumers, more information and a wider range of choices.