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Government urged to address UK ecommerce

By Tony Hallett

Published: Tuesday 13 July 1999

Ecommerce specialists and the UK government must work together more closely to address consumers' needs, according to Michael Sharples, founder and managing director of 3D software company, Stratum Media.

Sharples, speaking in an interview for Silicon.com's Ecommerce Channel, says although competition is necessary, a Web-based economy also needs to be nurtured.

He believes the role of the government is to educate businesses, introduce tax breaks and grants, and "provide any kind of help to any business that wants to develop a Web-based business".

Last year America Online said retail sales for its US service reached the $1bn mark over the Christmas/New Year period, but 22 per cent of that total came from Europe, and a full 9 per cent from the UK.

"Just think, we paid $90m to US-based traders," he says - pointing out the funds could have gone to UK businesses, had ecommerce been embraced as quickly.

He adds that while Europe may be "culturally and technologically not as alive to the needs of ecommerce" as the US, businesses working with the government can ensure change.