Web shoppers plan Xmas spending spree

The figures, from online rewards scheme ipoints, are the result of a survey of 5,500 Internet shoppers. 

Ipoints added that overall online spend has increased significantly year on year, with responders spending an average of £927 over the past 12 months, up by 32% compared to the previous year.

Almost 9% of responders claim to have spent over £3,000 online during that time.

While the findings suggest that experienced Internet shoppers plan to significantly increase their online spend, the survey does not take into account those who have not shopped online before.

When asked about the factors that will contribute to them shopping online this Christmas, cheaper prices and discounts are the leading driver, with 42.96% of respondents citing this as their reason for using the web. 

Convenience is the next most significant factor, quoted by 18.83% of responders.  16.62% said that they preferred online shopping in order to avoid high street queues. 

Only 1.37% of responders mentioned security or terrorism as a reason for shopping on the Internet this Christmas.

When it comes to the different categories of products people are likely to buy online, a high proportion of men and women will be buying CDs, DVDs and books. 

A significantly bigger proportion of men will be buying games online (50% vs 39%), while more women will be buying health and beauty products (40% vs 20%).

In addition, 70% of men are opting for online grocery shopping compared to 65% of women, according to the poll.

Geraldine Tosh, managing director at ipoints.co.uk, said: “With such an enormous predicted increase in online spending this Christmas, it seems that the internet should see its overall share of festive spend increase significantly this year.”

Ipoints.co.uk has released the survey to coincide with a its new Christmas campaign which offers ipoints members special offers from loyalty partners and other non-competing companies, including double ipoints in some promotions. 

UK Shopping Categories: Percentage of Internet shoppers buying products from each category (men and women)

Source: ipoints, November 2005-11-30