Ambalink and Kleline, a subsidiary of French bank Paribas, are brokering a program that enable internet shoppers to go to a virtual mall. Trust and community are the two issues that are hampering the take-up of electronic commerce, according to Clive Hudson, director of Ambalink. Ambalink’s aim is to make the experience as inclusive as possible to make consumers feel they are part of a community rather than just sitting at a PC.
Ambalink has selected stores which have a recognized internet reputation and which can ship goods to the customer’s country. These include French companies inherited from Kleline’s operations there, such as Le Cellier de France, a wine merchant, as well as UK retailers including Great Universal Stores, a $2.5bn organization, says Bob Bowden, Ambalink’s sales and marketing manager. Thomas Cook, the travel company is an information provider, giving details on special offers as a value-add for members.
Users making a purchase at one of the selected stores deal with the retailer, who contacts the Paribas bank subsidiary. After a series of credit checks, Kleline authorizes the transaction, a process taking between ten and fifteen seconds. Users can pay either with an electronic purse, or with any one of up to eight credit cards stored on their accounts. The portal, Klebox, is downloaded free when users register. User details are protected by RSA 512-bit encryption, with Kleline making its money by taking a commission from every transaction.
