Workers go AWOL (at work, online)
Brits are going AWOL (at work, online), spending an average of £314 a month from their office PC, according to new research. 45 per cent regularly forgo a proper lunch break to shop online, whilst over half (51 per cent) down tools at least once a day to surf the web for the latest must-haves. The net-epidemic has reached such heights that the average online annual spend is equivalent to 14 per cent of the average Brit’s salary.
The study by Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance, found that 1:00pm on Friday is the time Brits are most likely to go online to bag a bargain with 12.15pm on Monday being the next most popular time for shoppers. Over half of those polled (52 per cent) bought gifts and cards online whilst at work making them the most popular items to purchase, closely followed by DVDs and games (51 per cent) and tickets to sports, music and theatre performances (45 per cent).
According to the findings it is men not women that are the biggest spenders, forking out an average of £86 online a week compared to just £68 spent by women. Furthermore, 32 per cent of men admit that they have had online purchases delivered to their workplace rather than their home so they can hide it from their spouse. DVDs and games were the most popular items bought by men (56 per cent) with women splashing out the most on gifts for friends and family (49 per cent). 84 per cent of women said they prefer to use the internet to window shop before making an in-store purchase.
Almost two-thirds of Brits (63 per cent) cited long working hours for their online shopping habits. While 39 per cent blame work boredom and almost a quarter (24 per cent) online shop to put off doing work.
According to the findings, over a third of Brits (37 per cent) worryingly said they cannot resist the temptation of online shopping. 43 per cent feel less guilty about online shopping than they would about heading out to the shops during the working day. Furthermore, over a third of Brits (35 per cent) reveal that they do not notice the pinch as much when shopping online simply because they do not physically handover any cash.
Over a quarter of Brits (26 per cent) said they have no intention of cutting back on their online spending as it makes their busy working week more enjoyable. Frivolous Brits reveal that they are likely to spoil themselves with an end of the week treat by heading out to purchase something more expensive to eat (33 per cent), logging-on for online shopping (20 per cent), or popping out to the high street for a spot of shopping (17 per cent).
Top ten average online spends (total cost per year):
1 Tickets (sports, music, theatre...) £432
2 Clothing £397
3 Groceries £390
4 Shoes £353
5 Gifts and cards £331
6 DVDs, games and tech £328
7 Books £247
8 Outfits for the weekend £238
9 Music (CDs, mp3 files) £216
10 Accessories (gloves, hats, scarves, belts...) £202
Jacky Brown, at Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance, said: “It is no surprise that the long hours culture in Britain has led many workers to shop online and treat themselves to some well-deserved indulgence. As a result, workers are not just limiting themselves to buying food and drinks at lunchtime and instead they are heading online or out to the shops to buy anything from clothing and shoes, to DVDs and games.
“While treating ourselves can be fun, it is important people check that they have adequate insurance to cover for high cost items inside and outside of the home in case of theft, loss or damage.”
Regional breakdown:
Londoners are the biggest spenders shelling out £130 per week on average on online purchases whilst at work
Wales is the most prudent with an average weekly online spend of just £48 whilst at work
