Thorntons Solicitors

As at December 2008, it was reported that 70.9% of the UK population has access to the internet either in the home or in the workplace. It is therefore of no surprise that the internet is fast becoming the most convenient and popular way for consumers to shop.

Legislation has been in place for a considerable period to ensure that consumers are not at a disadvantage when purchasing goods or services online as opposed to engaging in face to face transactions. Unfortunately not all online traders (”Sellers”) are adhering to these mandatory provisions, and consumer confidence can be affected by this.

Read more about Complying with consumer Legislation when Trading Online

Comments (0) Apr 23 2009

As Blue Square launch their latest E-Commerce website (Archturus) we have been closely studying our e-ommerce clients and the online shopping market uas a whole.  Over the Christmas period our long established e-commerce clients reported at worst static levels of sales turnover compared to last year with several reporting increases, one of up to 6%.

Accross Britain the story was the same with research showing a massive 14 % increase in online shopping in December 2008 compared to the same period a year before. 

Read more about Online Sales Continuing to Buck the Trend

Comments (0) Feb 12 2009

In todays pre-budget report the Chancellor introduced a reduction in VAT rate from 17.5% to 15% to help kick start the economy and increase consumer spending.

VAT has been set at 17.5% since before ecommerce was invented and this latest change is going to cause a huge headache for ecommerce websites.

Some systems are likely to have VAT hard coded into the ecommerce systems but even advanced programs will still need to be adjusted to reflect the new rates.

A number of retailers without a retained website development company will be unlucky enough to have the VAT rate hard-coded into their CMS. This makes price changes before next Monday almost impossible.

Read more about VAT reduction will it cost more than it saves

Comments (0) Nov 27 2008

Businesses have been urged to turn to the internet to help beat the effects of the economic downturn. Small business advice organisation Business Link said businesses concerned about the credit crunch, or just looking to grow, should consider whether they are making the best use of the web.

Read more about Sharpen up your website to beat the economic downturn

Comments (0) Nov 03 2008