Christmas shoppers turn to online

Battling Christmas crowds and queues at the local shopping centre will puts shoppers under significant levels of stress, a new study has found.

The PayPal Bags of Stress Xmas Survey reports that almost 70 per cent of Australians believe their stress levels increased while searching the shops for the perfect present.

Professor Timothy Sharp, clinical and coaching psychologist and founder of The Happiness Institute, said shoppers underestimate the level of pressure they put themselves under during Christmas shopping.

"Even low levels of stress can trigger headaches and anxiety and many people become short tempered and feel claustrophobic when faced with busy, overcrowded shopping centres," Prof Sharp said.

The survey of 1,000 Australian adults found that one in four experience headaches and nearly half are short tempered which causes a negative attitude towards shopping for gifts, especially at Christmas time.


"Christmas is traditionally a time for celebration with friends and family but with many people becoming short tempered as a result of the stress of shopping i-store, this holiday break often turns into Christmas chaos,"
Sharp said.

The majority of respondents admitted they dislike shopping centres at Christmas and more than 55 per cent said they would prefer to read a book or go to the beach than hunt for presents instore.

The results found that almost 70 per cent of Australians will buy up to 10 presents at Christmas time, and it takes an average of at least five hours for people to complete their gift lists.

The survey also found that more than 65 per cent of Australians are turning to the mouse in their house to find the perfect Christmas gift, as a way of avoiding the shops.

PayPal Australia MD Frerk-Malte Feller said that the number of people shopping online this Christmas reflects this negative attitude towards traditional Christmas shopping.

"With more than six and a half million Australians shopping online this year, it's predicted that more people will do their Christmas shopping from home than ever before," said Malte.

With the vast expansion of retailers offering online stores, Australian consumers can now shop on-line at some of their favourite retailers including PayPal merchants like JB Hi-Fi, Borders, Rebel Sports, the ABC Shop and eBay.

"Shoppers are buying a whole range of Christmas gifts from home to save time, stress, and money. The most popular items bought online are music CDs, DVDs, books, and video and computer games," he said.

Source: InsideRetailing

Friday, 11 December 2009

 

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