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- Good afternoon and welcome to our weekly shopping programme SHOPAHOLIC. Now, are you an online shopper? Or do you prefer to queue at the supermarket? Linda Stanley of CONSUMER WORLD magazine is with us in the studio to talk about Internet shopping. Hello, Linda.
- Hi there!
- First of all, Linda, is Internet shopping becoming really popular now?
- Yes, it is. It is becoming part of our lives. More and more people are buying online.
- Mmm, so what are they buying?
- Books and CDs are the most popular things, and then travel. People are also spending a lot of money on health and beauty, and food and drink. For example, they're using the online services of supermarkets for big or heavy things like bottles of water.
- Interesting. And how are people using the internet to shop? I mean, how do they start?
- Well, people are usually online for 12 to 18 months before they try online shopping. They usually start with something simple like books. - Yes, it's great for books. Are people comparing prices on the Internet now?
- Yes, they are. It's easy to compare prices - there are special websites for this. So the Internet is giving people a lot of power.
- I see. I guess men enjoy using the Internet. What about women? Are they using the internet for shopping?
- Yes, they are. Definitely. More and more women are shopping online. The great thing about the Internet is this: it's 24/7. You can shop online all day, every day. This is very good news for women with jobs and children.
- Of course. And what are companies doing to get business on the Internet?
- Well, some companies are offering big discounts to get new customers. You can get a Harry Potter book, for example, for half price.
- Is this the end of traditional shopping - you know, people going to shopping centres and supermarkets?
- No, I don't think so - not just yet, anyway. Perhaps in the future. Right now, people are moving between the Internet and real shops to save time and money.
- Well, it all sounds very exciting. Thanks for coming in and telling us about it, Linda.
- My pleasure.
Kaupo, thank you very much!!!