In store 'high street tax' hits shoppers where it hurts
A new report has revealed that British shoppers are being hit with a "high street tax" and are paying well over the odds for shopping in store.
Compiled by PriceRunner.co.uk, the report found that 95 per cent of high street prices could be beaten online and that consumers were, in some cases, paying 70 per cent more for the privilege of buying in shops.
Taking an average basket of 10 goods, including a camera, ipod and television, PriceRunner paid £2.252 in the shops but found the same items for a total of just £1,785 after switching to the internet.
No wonder then that fewer and fewer shoppers are making the trip to the mall where, having spent half an hour searching for a parking space and then paying for the privilege, they end up returning home and searching the web for a cheaper option.
Marc Thomas, manager of PriceRunner, told The Telegraph: "Consumers are paying the price for shopping on the high street. It's high street robbery.
"The evidence is clear - it is cheaper to make your eventual purchase online and have the product delivered to your home."
The biggest price gap between internet and high street was in the purchase of a pair of Nike Air Zoom trainers, bought online for £49.98 but on sale in the high street for £85.79 - a 71 per cent mark-up.
But overall, the typical price difference amounted to 31.79 per cent.
Since the high street has seen a significant downturn in business and consumer pockets continue to be hit hard around every corner, isn't it time retailers became competitive on price?
