Food Websites score 3 out of 10
Food Websites score 3 out of 10
Keywords: Food, Food industry
A study, commissioned by quality assurance organisation, SGS, suggests that e-commerce firms operating in the food sector are not addressing the security and confidentiality concerns of the internet consumer.
The first of a series of "E-commerce 100 surveys", in which 100 UKbased websites selling speciality foods were rated against ten criteria to determine their ability to guarantee the security of transactions and the confidentiality of personal information, reveals that just 11 per cent make any reference to Data Protection. Over two thirds have no stated policy for safeguarding the privacy of personal information. Overall, the average website scored in just three of the ten categories.
"Buying on the internet still demands a substantial leap of faith for many consumers, especially in the food sector where they have become accustomed to seeing and even touching goods before making a purchase", says SGS' UK marketing manager, Barry Holland, "Yet surprisingly few seem to have integrated security and privacy systems into their websites to provide much needed assurance to the online buyer."
The sample of websites was drawn from directory listings supplied by five of the best known Internet search engines and included vendors of confectionery,dairy products, meat, seafoods, organic products, gift and gourmet merchandise. Supermarkets and online grocery sites were excluded from the survey.
The ten criteria chosen to measure the level of customer assurance included the existence if a terrestrial address and contact details, a reply form, data protection for personal information, a customer promise or charter, use of security systems (such as Trustwise), visible accreditation logos, complaints procedures, information security systems and an online privacy policy.
The key findings were:
A total of 10 per cent made no mention of their terrestrial address or contact details
Just one in nine made reference to the protection of personal data.
Only 15 websites made use of e-commerce security systems such as Trustwise.
Just one in five made a statement about the level of service, which could be expected.
Just 17 per cent posted details of other accreditations e.g. ISO 9000
Five out of six had no formal procedures for customers to register complaints
Just one site made reference to information security management systems (BS 7799)
Two thirds had no stated privacy policy
"We are left with the impression that many food companies which mainly trade on word of mouth and are used to dealing with regular customers who visit their premises are, perhaps, taking trust for granted," adds Barry, "It is questionable whether this approach will be successful in the new economy where the loyalty and trust has to be built from scratch."
A copy of the full report can be obtained at www.sgs.co.uk/download/ebusiness/
International inspection organisation, SGS, has developed some of its traditional, terrestrial verification services to provide assurance of transactions taking place on the Internet. Its suite of e-business services includes a website certification scheme, SGS Qualicert; assessment and registration against information security management systems; certification and supply chain management services in the burgeoning online business-to-business(B2B) market under its SGSonSITE brand.
For further information please contact Barry Holland on Tel: + 44 (0)1276 691133; Email: barry-holland@sgsgroup.comor visit www.sgs.co.uk/ebusiness
