Posted: 10th Oct, 2008 By: MarkJ
UK ISP
Eclipse Internet has released the results of its latest YouGov sponsored survey, which found that 54% of GB adults will spend less this year on presents. Meanwhile 10% of consumers are expecting to buy more online thanks to lower prices and better variety:
The rising importance of online shopping has been accelerated by the current climate of economic uncertainty, with people looking to reduce the cost of Christmas without compromising too much on the overall event, commented Mark Thomas, Head of Sales and Marketing at Eclipse Internet. Approximately one in five people (21%) now buy more than half of all Christmas presents online with 31% of 25 to 44 year-olds following this trend.
The YouGov survey found that price is one of the main drivers to shop online, with 65% of respondents believing they can find a better deal online. Convenience was also a deciding factor with 61% of UK Christmas shoppers preferring to have their presents delivered to their doors rather than braving the high street.
Almost half of UK consumers (48%) use search engines to find the lowest prices for Christmas presents but 36% would not consider buying from a retailer without an online payment facility. Eclipse recently launched a new range of 'up to' 24Mbps (ADSL2+) broadband services and will shortly begin offering its own E-store facility at half price for the first three months.