Apacs: Online shopping beats stress

Shopping online could help to cut out the hassle of Christmas, according to Apacs, the UK payments association.

Some 85 per cent of shoppers find the high-street to be too crowded and stress-inducing in the run-up to the festivities, a study released by the organisation has revealed.

Additionally, 24 per cent of respondents state that they have felt no stress whatsoever through making their purchases over the Internet.

Sandra Quinn, director of corporate communications at Apacs, said: "Our research has shown that nearly half of those who shop online do so more at Christmas than any other time of the year and just over a quarter of that group will do about half of their Christmas shopping online."

A recent study from HM Revenue & Customs found that 94 per cent of web users in Wales believe online shopping to be easier than heading to the high street, PublicTechnology.net reports.

Some 83 per cent of their Scottish counterparts also preferred making purchases on the Internet.

By Nomensa