Brits need help to beat shopping addiction

25% of Brits are addicted to shopping, according to a national survey. Government campaigns help alcoholics, smokers and gamblers but shopping addiction is still viewed as a frivolous pastime, rather than a debilitating compulsion.

The survey, carried out by debt management company Kensington Financial Management Consultants, shows that more people are in debt due to shopping than gambling, with 24.8% admitting to have shopping related debt, opposed to only 0.6% reporting gambling debt. 54% said that shopping made them feel happy, although 38% expressed feeling guilty post-spree.

Shoporexia is characterised by an intense desire to purchase unnecessary goods on an almost daily basis, regardless of the financial implications. Of the 280 people polled, 67% have bought items they’ve never worn or used, and 84% have bought a perceived bargain on impulse. Nearly a third shop for non-essential items every week, and a fifth think about shopping at least once a day. Shopping is classed as a hobby by 37% of those questioned, and 29% admit to thinking about shopping while they are at work. 54% said shopping makes them happy, 33% said it makes them excited, and 19% said that it makes them feel more confident.

Shoporexics are secretive about their spending habits and usually reluctant to acknowledge their addiction. Half of people surveyed admitted feeling so bad following a shopping expedition that they sometimes hide purchases or lie to a partner about how much money they have spent. Over a third of people surveyed have experienced embarrassment by their credit or debit card being declined whilst out shopping.

Stuart Parkin from Kensington Financial Management Consultants said: “The increase in the number of shoporexics is extremely worrying. We wanted to investigate the extent of shopping-related debt, and to give people a gentle reminder of the more serious issues involved. Shopping can be fun, frivolous and great escapism, but serious addiction – and escalating debt - is a very different story.”

Credit is a shoporexic’s drug of choice, with a quarter of people surveyed confessing to using credit to buy non-essential items. Half have accumulated debts of over £2,500 on non-essential spending and, of these, 6% have debts exceeding £20K.

Parkin adds: “We’re not trying to be the fun police, but we are asking people to shop a bit more sensibly, especially in the current financial climate. We also want to encourage those people struggling with debts to seek support as soon as possible and urge people to get in touch for advice or just a chat to see how they can cut costs. There’s an awful lot of help available for anyone facing financial difficulties – not just shopaholics! “

For further information or for advice with handling your debts, visit kensingtonfinance.co.uk