The combined announcement from Interactive Media in Retail Group and about a brand new trustmark they are looking to create is certainly another big step towards making the Internet a better place for shoppers. The new seal will be available to all online retailers within the EU as the creators recognise that online businesses are not bound by political borders.
Shoppers in Europe are able to visit websites of stores in other countries and they would certainly appreciate if there was a universal mark letting them know whether a given website is safe to purchase from or not.
Together with the new Consumer Rights Directive published last year and set to come into life in the next few months, those new developments could really help make online shopping more transparent. The Directive is looking into how online shopping can be normalised across the Union, including clear guidelines on deliveries and refunds.
The fact that both changes are taking place at roughly the same time suggests that people working within the e-retail industry, including developers and entrepreneurs, as well as politicians can see the rapid industry changes and are trying to adapt. They are also listening to consumers who know that they can access websites from other countries but at the moment are not sure what their rights are if they were to make a purchase.
The ability to sell online to people across the globe is one of the major advantages Internet retailers have over their high-street counterparts. But it also comes with certain drawbacks, including lack of trust and transparency, so it is crucial that all possible steps are taken to help overcome such negatives.
All of the above-mentioned developments may only concern European retailers and consumers but we can fully expect that in future such announcements will have worldwide impact. The ideal scenario is where purchasing from a shop on the other side of the globe is no different from purchasing domestically.