Ecommerce has had a massive impact on businesses with price competition and provide consumers with more choice and information on products. According to a recent survey conducted by Ecommerce-Excellence in conjunction with ScotlandIS (ICT trade body) and Indez (supplier) Scottish businesses are behind when it comes to online-trading. 60% of Scottish businesses rate themselves as ‘poor’ when it comes to their international ecommerce skills. Furthermore, 30% rate their ability to capitalise on domestic ecommerce as “poor.”

These are less than positive results for the 35 companies who took part in the survey. The findings highlight an issue that is having a detrimental effect on the Scottish economy which has been reiterated by Polly Purvis, executive director of ScotlandIS:

“Ecommerce is now a major force in the UK economy. The latest results from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index show that total ecommerce sales continue to grow substantially, with consumers spending £4.5 million online last month alone [...] Addressing this skills shortage would help transform the Scottish economy. If many more small businesses were trading online, we could lift our exports substantially.”