(Horsham, PA; June 27, 2002; Business Wire) The United States continues to be the global leader of online purchasing and spending, according to Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) Interactive's third annual Global e-commerce Report (GeR) released on June 26, 2002.

Across 37 counties participating in the survey, the average percent of Internet users who made online purchases is 15%. In comparison, the percent of online purchasers in the U.S. is 32%. Additionally, in terms of online spending, the worldwide median average spent during the past 4 weeks was $99 (100 Euros), while in the United States it is $162 (164 Euros). Korea, Germany, Norway and Great Britain follow the United States in online purchasing.

                 Top Five Online Purchasing Countries
                      Online Shopping Statistics
              (Interviewing occurred March - April 2002)
   
                                       Online Shopping   Median Value
                       Internet Usage    During Past     of Purchases
                           During          Month            In $US
                         Past Month    (Among Internet  (Among Online
                                           Users)          Shoppers)
All Countries In Study       34%            15%              $99
United States                62%            32%             $162
Korea                        52%            31%             $43*
Germany                      41%            26%             $119
Norway                       58%            25%         Not Available
Great Britain                38%            23%              $94
   
* Caution:  Low Base size

Although e-commerce is strong in the U.S., it has not reached its highest level. Potential for continued growth here is evident. More Internet users indicated they would buy online this year (29%) versus 2001 (23%). However, what continues to deter buying over the Internet is the issue of security. Forty percent of Americans do not feel comfortable providing their credit card information online, and 30 % of Internet users across the 37 countries interviewed feel the same.

"Getting Americans to feel secure is a challenging task for e-tailers. Since consumers started to buy online they have expressed their concerns about providing their credit card and personal information over the Internet, yet there has been little improvement in addressing those needs," says Brenda McFarland, Executive Vice President of TNS Interactive. "In order for this industry to continue to grow, businesses will need to develop security measures beyond what is currently available."

The Global e-Commerce Report also concludes that a direct correlation exists between Internet penetration and e-commerce. In countries where Internet usage has become firmly established over a long period of time, e-commerce is more developed. Therefore, the expectation is that other countries will eventually catch up to U.S. e-commerce levels.

About the Study

The third Taylor Nelson Sofres Interactive - Global e-commerce Report involved interviews with 42,238 people across 37 countries/territories in the early part of 2002. Those countries/territories covered by the Report are listed below. Year-on-year comparisons above are given for the 33 countries/territories for which there is data covering 2001 and 2002. Countries that were not included in the second Global e-commerce Report in 2001 are marked with an asterisk (*). Countries where the survey conducted was not representative of the total population are marked (+). The letters after the country names indicate the level of Internet penetration in each country, ie: `L' (low: less than 20 percent of the population are users), `M' (medium: 20-40 percent are users) and `H' (high: more than 40 percent are users):

# Argentina* (L); Australia (H); Belgium (H); Bulgaria* (L); Canada (H); Czech Republic (M); Denmark (H); Estonia (M); Finland (H); France (M); Germany (H); Great Britain (M); Hong Kong (H); Hungary (L); India (L) (+); Indonesia (L) (+); Ireland (H); Israel (H); Italy (M); Latvia (L); Lithuania (L); Malaysia (M) (+); Mexico* (L); Netherlands (H); Norway (H); Poland (L); Romania*(L); Serbia* (L); Singapore (H); Slovakia (M); South Korea (H); Spain (M); Taiwan (H); Thailand (L) (+); Turkey (M) (+); Ukraine (L); USA (H).

Copies of third Global eCommerce Report are available at http://www.tnsofres.com/GeR2002.

About TNS Interactive

Taylor Nelson Sofres Interactive is a specialist global Internet and new media research business providing leading-edge market research solutions. By combining in-depth market knowledge with the latest research techniques and sophisticated use of Internet market research technology, TNSi provides immediate and informed market analysis, insight and innovative business solutions.

About TNS Intersearch

TNS Intersearch, the tenth largest custom research company in the United States, is organized into specialized groups focusing on automotive; consumer packaged goods; e-commerce; financial services; food and beverages; health and beauty aids; healthcare; information technology; media; public opinion polling; restaurants; retail; social and government; sports, events and sponsorship; telecommunications; transportation; travel, leisure and hospitality; and utilities and energy sectors.

About Taylor Nelson Sofres

Through its network of 230 offices in more than 50 countries, Taylor Nelson Sofres provides market information services in over 80 countries to leading national and multi-national organisations. It is ranked as the fourth largest market information group in the world. Further information on Taylor Nelson Sofres is available from the corporate Web site: http://www.tnsofres.com.