UK subscribers to CompuServe can now go shopping on-line, using its new shopping service (CI No 2,654). Books, compact disks, hi-fi equipment and hardware/software are available from newsagents W H Smith, record store Virgin Megastores, and consumer electronic retailers Dixons and PC World. Those partial to the occasional tipple will also be able to order and purchase wine from the supermarket chain Tesco. Other retailers involved include Great Universal Stores selling its sport and leisure clothing and florists co-operative Interflora. Subscribers to the service, which will be offered as part of the basic membership cost, pay for goods by passing their credit card details over the CompuServe network where the numbers are stored and then accessed via the purchaser’s password. But there is no call back service to authenticate the card holder. CompuServe is confident that this method of payment is secure but the success of the service will be partly due to how comfortable on-line shoppers feel about sending their credit card details over its network. The purchase order form, goods selection and goods search facility are all accessed via a Windows front-end with graphics designed for non-technical users in an attempt to broaden the service’s appeal. The system sends verification of the purchase and expected delivery date to the user’s electronic mail address. CompuServe says it is looking to add another 10 to 15 retailers to the service this year, and then to set up a World Wide Web site and offer the service over the Internet.
