One in three Britons addicted to ‘one-click’ buying - report

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Oct 15, 2018

One third of British consumers believe they are addicted to online shopping and ‘one-click’ buys from giant retailers, with one in 12 admitting to making purchases online every day.

This ‘addiction’ is hurting the UK high street and could potentially result in 100,000 retail stores lying empty in the next decade, according to Fintech company iZettle, which conducted research to understand consumers’ relationship to online shopping.

It found that almost 20% of 24-35 year olds claim to be ‘addicted’ to buying online with big retailers, and that 35% of Britons think they shop too much through ‘one-click’ buys.

The biggest addicts are based in Greater London (39%), West Midlands (37%), Yorkshire (32%), North West (29%) and North East (28%), according to the study.

To help consumers curb their addiction and help small, independent businesses, iZettle opened a ‘rehab’ centre in London’s Shoreditch over the weekend. Run by trained therapists, the centre offered everything from group therapy to workshops with independent business owners.

“Our research shows that it is time for consumers to start thinking about their shopping habits, and choices, to keep the high street alive. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and create a world with choice and diversity,” said Edward Hallett, Managing Director at iZettle UK.

The ‘rehab’ centre was part of a wider marketing campaign run by iZettle to inspire consumers to support local small businesses and think about their shopping habits.