54% of credit cardholders in Israel use them to make online purchases, according to the annual MasterCard Index survey of credit cardholders' habits. 27% of respondents said that they increased their online purchases in the past year, and 29% of those who make online purchases said that they usually make at least one online purchase a month.
TNS Teleseker conducted the 2011 Israeli survey for MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA).
The survey found that 67% of credit cardholders who made online purchases said that the main reason for buying online was the price advantage. 72% of men and 78% of cardholders with above average incomes cited this reason. 56% of all respondents said that online purchases made better price comparisons between products possible.
The survey found that Israelis greatly appreciate the convenience of online shopping. 51% of respondents said that they buy online because they don’t have to leave home. 60% of respondents over the age of 50 said that this was the main reason for shopping online. 47% of respondents said that they buy online because the purchase is delivered to their homes.
81% of respondents who shop online prefer to use their credit cards to pay for the purchase, and 15% use other means of payment, such as PayPal accounts.
49% of respondents said that they buy electronic devices online, 36% buy travel services, such as flights and hotels, and 44% said that they buy tickets to shows, movies, and sporting events. Only 14% of respondents said that they buy food online, either from supermarkets or restaurants, but this figure is 8% higher than in 2010.
The survey also asked about the use of mobile devices to make financial transactions. 30% of credit cardholders own a smartphone. 25% of women respondents and 41% of men respondents own a smartphone, and 41% of respondents aged 18-29 own at least one. However, only 26% of smartphone owners use them to make online financial transactions, such as checking the balance in their bank accounts or to make bank transfers, pay for utilities, or to buy products.
The survey found a wide gap in age of a mobile phone owner and in the use of smartphones to make a financial transaction. 27% of smartphone owners aged 18-29 use them for this purpose, compared with 10% of smartphone owners aged over 50.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 21, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011