Britain: a nation of savvy shoppers?

By Daniel Culpan

The impact of the recession has forced many of us to adopt money-saving methods in an effort to watch our pennies - and according to research from Quidco, a new generation of financially aware shoppers are hitting the high street.

A survey carried out for the cashback website revealed that 87% of shoppers now visit several stores to compare prices before handing over their money. 39% visit at least three different shops before making a purchase in the hope of finding the best deal.

What's more, for some people, it seems no amount of effort is too much when it comes to hunting down a bargain, with one in seven shoppers visiting five different places before parting with their cash.

The younger generation in particular appear determined to make their money go further in the current climate. Almost 50% of 18-24 year olds admitted to looking in three shops before committing to buy, while over 25% of older shoppers compare prices in four different shops to bag the best price.

Andy Oldham, Managing Director of Quidco, commented: "It is hardly surprising that the persistently tough financial climate has led to a significant shift in consumer shopping habits. The 'happy hoppers' identified in our research are a typical example of how Brits are adjusting their spending in line with the impact the recession is having on household budgets across the country."

Image © iStockPhotos

Tags: recession, shopping, savvy, spending

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