Search Marketing News

Rural communities 'rely on online retailers'

October 29th 2009
Universal Search Marketing News

Online shopping has become significantly more important for rural residents, according to new research.

A new report by PayPal indicates that 94 per cent of those living in the countryside now do their shopping online in the UK.

For around 16 per cent of respondents, this is due to local shops not stocking the things that they want, according to the online payment service.

More than one in four adults living in rural Britain also claimed that they spent more online this year than they did in 2008, with one in ten claiming that their nearest shops are just too far away.

Commenting on the findings, managing director of PayPal UK Carl Scheible indicated that online retail, and hence search marketing, is going to play a "bigger role" in many communities.

He explained: "It's alarming that up to 33 village shops are closing a month, however the extraordinary choice of goods and services available online means that people living in rural Britain need not be stranded."

However, there is growing concern among online retailers that the recent and future strikes by the Communication Workers' Union will put people off shopping online this Christmas.