We as a nation love shopping, but as the internet has become available on more and more devices, such as tablets, mobile phones and now TV’s the way we shop has changed. People still love a browse on the high street, but that is exactly what it is, a browse. If there is a particular item that we want to buy, more than likely we will buy it online and happily wait a few days for the item to be delivered. With this change in buying habits, are we ourselves to blame for killing the high street?
According to a survey conducted by Ofcom, the UK does more shopping via the internet than any other country. On average a UK resident will spend £1,083 per year on online shopping, an increase of 14 per cent since 2010. Our spending is over £200 more than the second highest spender which is Australia, who spends £842 on internet shopping.
One in five people now use their smartphone to access high street retailer websites. This may sound like a good thing for the retailer, but it could also be a negative. People may visit their website whilst they are out and about on the high street prior to visiting the store to check what they have available. If nothing takes their fancy virtually, people will be put off from stepping foot physically inside the store.
Speaking of the survey James Thickett, Director of Research at Ofcom, said: “It’s mobile devices like smartphones and tablets that are driving this growing demand for data – and in the UK it seems to be social networking sites that are behind this in particular.
“We have a long history of catalogue shopping in the UK, and as many daily activities are increasingly carried out online, the internet has become the new destination for many shoppers.”
Do you find yourself doing more shopping online than venturing out onto the high street? What are your reasons for preferring internet shopping? Tell us below.
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