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Spanish footwear should make better use of the Internet in order to empower exportations
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Only 10.6% of the companies in the footwear sector make use of the Internet to buy raw materials (that is 6 points less than the average in Spain), and only 12.2% sells online (3 points above the average in Spain). Data reveal that e-commerce is not yet developed in this sector even though it might represent a significant competitive advantage for these companies, as in particular the sector exports a major portion of their production (72% of their total invoicing, in accordance to the Footwear Industry Federation of Spain).
This is part of the information contained in the Technologic Diagnosis of the Footwear Sector by the Telecommunications and Information Society Observatory of red.es, as a result of joint work with Fundetec and Anetcom. Data were disclosed during the opening of the 1st National Workshop of Applied Technologies for the Footwear Sector.
The report was based on a survey of 368 small and medium-sized companies in this sector. 72.2% of those not using e-commerce believe it is not necessary and on the other hand, those who buy online feel that e-commerce might improve their business processes, production process management and access to new material sources in better financial and quality terms. Companies selling online use the Internet to improve their corporate image, capture new clients and catch up with their competitors in this globalized world and specifically, in regards to their sector.
Availability and use
The footwear sector makes good use of the latest technologies. Almost 100% of the companies use computers and 97% use the Internet. Almost all of them have an e-mail address and 94.3% use mobile technologies as a means of communication. 65% of these companies have a website, making up over 15% of the whole national universe of businesses using this tool.
Regarding the use of this technological infrastructure, data reveal the sector trusts technology and highly values its possibilities, even though they have not yet chosen to use it to its full potential to increase productivity, competitiveness and profitability . Of those surveyed, 88.8% state that they use the Internet mostly when they need information. However, 79.6% uses online banking, 52.8% uses the Internet to contact clients and suppliers, and 37% will manage and process governmental procedures when in contact with Government Agencies.
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