The article start by citing two new reports indicating that the secret to opening Asia’s online pocketbooks remains elusive.

The report cited was developed by New York Internet marketing firm eMarketer on electronic business-to-consumer sales in China, Japan and Korea targeted to western companies that plan to expand their operation to these countries.

Reason why these are market to break, according to the report:

• Competition from domestic rivals but from growing regional powers like South Korea’s online retailer and auctioneer Gmarket, which went public last year and plans to enter the Japan and China markets soon.
• Customer preferences, unlike in the west, where online retailers ship products from regional mailing centers, security-conscious Japanese consumers prefer to order online but pickup their goods and pay for them in cash, either at a nearby convenience store, or COD
• In South Korea, mall owners have created cyber-malls in which they host online retailers and help them by offering transaction, logistical and customer service support

The article also mentioned about how the serious lack of telecommunications infrastructure in India and China continues to plague the availability of home Internet access

Read full article here: Asia a Tough Market for Internet Commerce

The 23 pages report that the article use can be purchase here: Asia-Pacific B2C E-Commerce: China, Japan and South Korea (eMarketer.com)