British Consumers Adopt Online Shopping Habits More Than Anywhere Else in Europe

Online, February 25, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Research by the Centre for Retail Research has found that UK shoppers spent more online than anywhere else in Europe. On average, we Brits spent £1,102 each online last year, getting braver about spending bigger sums on the web.

"Consumers are realising that saving money lies on the internet," states Neil Ainsworth, VoucherSeeker Director. "Using Vodafone promotional codes (http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk/file/8c07f9b2387a79aa4860f829cdf713e7/vodafone-promotional-code.html) and Currys discount codes (http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk/file/a62ac26940c49940f7f8da1eabd901e1/currys-discount-codes.html) from sites such as VoucherSeeker can save users a fair amount on expensive items."

According to the Centre for Retail Research, online sales account for 10% of the total retail sales in the UK. The research further predicts that internet shopping will increase this year, eventually hitting £42.7 billion in 2010.

The recession created a new type of shopper, who was now prepared to not only haggle for better prices, but research their options further in order to get the best deal. Shoppers became more aware of the discount vouchers and discount codes they could get for money off items such as electricals and groceries. Sites such as VoucherSeeker found that there was more interest in the vouchers on offer, as consumers actively searched for money off.

The shopping habits which were learnt during the recession are now becoming permanent habits. Shoppers have realised the savings they can make and although the economy is recovering, consumers are still keen to continue saving money.

Men were a key demographic who were quick to turn to the internet in order to save money when the recession hit. In the past, women have been the biggest demographic group of online shoppers, with clothing and footwear proving popular purchases. However men began to realise the saving potential of the internet, logging in online to search for promotional codes and voucher codes and investigating where to make the best savings.

12.9 million men in the UK are now shopping online, compared with just 10.3 women. Since 2006, 839,000 extra men are shopping online compared with an additional 400,000 women.

Another demographic turning to the internet for savings is the 'Silver Surfer', typically a pensioner who is learning about the internet and getting online due to easier access and more accessible internet packages.

A survey conducted by Mature Marketing Consultancy, Millennium, questioned four hundred over 50s on their shopping habits. More than a quarter of people questioned admitted to shopping for groceries online, over half spending in excess of £150 per month.
Currently, online discount vouchers and discount codes are more influential to the over 50s group of people than brand loyalty. Quality and price are significant factors for this age range. This may be due to the fact that this age range has a limited pension and therefore need to get value for money.

UK shoppers spend the most online in Europe, as consumers are now very savvy. Shoppers in the UK now search online for voucher code sites such as VoucherSeeker in order to save money on items such as electricals and fashion. This could be due to factors including the recession encouraging shoppers to look for vouchers or promotional codes online in order to save money. This behaviour has then carried on into the post recession shopping as consumers realise how much money they can save.

Another factor is that more demographics are beginning to realise the importance of the internet in the savings it can provide. Men and silver surfers are quickly becoming aware of the discounts available on voucher code sites such as VoucherSeeker (http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk/vouchercodes). As more and more people realise the saving potential, UK online spending is set to further soar.

About VoucherSeeker

http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk is a leading UK voucher codes website. It features all the latest vouchers, voucher codes and discount codes from a wide range of shops and top brands. Users can use the site to find the latest discount vouchers and promotional codes to save money on many products and services. VoucherSeeker also provides its users with details of all the latest sales and promotions.

For further information, please contact Deborah Read at VoucherSeeker: email: [email protected], direct line: +44 113 380 0891.

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