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Single shoppers out in force as activity with partner leads to break-up

10th December 2012 Print

New research from Quidco has revealed the true extent of stress caused by shopping with partners, as some couples admit it leads to break ups.

Shopping spats between couples are a frequent occurrence with 16% of UK adults admitting the fall out has been so serious they have come close to, or actually did, split up. Not surprisingly then, a quarter of people have stormed out of a store and left their partner standing alone after a disagreement.

The main causes of shopping spats come in the form of a pondering partner. Forty three per cent of couples said their other half taking too long to decide what to buy has, in the past, caused a retail related row. This was followed by 35% of couples saying that the amount being spent is a trigger point.

Those wanting to avoid a tricky shopping trip should avoid clothes, TVs, sofas and holidays, as all appear in the top 102 items responsible for rows between partners.

For the 55% of us who find festive shopping even more stressful than usual, services are available with a little help from Quidco. For the 42% of people heading online for gifts, Quidco should be the first point of call as members receive cashback on every purchase made from 3,400 of its retailers. This means the average member pockets almost £300 a year, rising to £780 for families. Those braving the high street should also register a credit or debit card with the site, in order to qualify for cashback in store.

Andy Oldham, Managing Director at Quidco said: "'Our research shows that it can be easier to shop on your own, especially if you and your partner have a different approach to making purchases. One way to dodge a disagreement can be by receiving money off purchases made with your partner. Over 2.5m people already take advantage of our cashback services including online, in-store and mobile applications and with the amount of shopping spats taking place, more should turn to our service. For those of you braving a shopping trip with a partner, should at least agree budgets and the people you are buying gifts for, before you leave for the shops. This could prevent some festive fallouts for the UK's couples."

Those with partners who give in to a row should be wary as 24% of partners secretly return items. This is marginally better than the one in twenty who ‘accidently' break items partners have bought against their will.

Quidco is a UK cashback site that pays people when they make a purchase from any of the 3,400 retailers listed on its website. It also has a unique smartphone app that pays shoppers to enter stores and offers an in store cashback programme where shoppers receive money when using registered cards in participating stores. For more information go to quidco.com.