17 December 2007
It is the over 50s that are at the forefront of emerging trends on the Internet, according to a new survey.
The survey also found that it is this age group that were most concerned about the festival’s commercialisation. The survey, conducted by Millenium, surveyed more than 500 people over the age of 50 across the UK. The findings identified that the Internet had become their favourite shopping method, which challenges typical sterotypes that this age group have a phobia about new technologies.
Of the respondents, 28% said that they preferred to do their shopping online – the highest response for any category and also beating the traditional choice of the high street of city centre, which came in at 23%. When the findings were split by gender it was found that 35% of men stated the Internet was their favourite shopping channel, compared to just 19% of women.
The survey revealed that the over 50s favourite online purchases were books, over 58% and that they enjoyed the Internet as it took the hassle out of shopping.
When asked about Christmas shopping, the findings suggested an increase in cynicism towards the more consumerist aspects of Christmas, with 97% feeling as though Christmas had become a lot more commercialised since they were children.
Sarah Robson, Research Director, Millennium, said:
Whilst nearly all have concerns with how Christmas is becoming more commercialised, many still spend large amounts of money, perhaps too much for their means, in order to create what they perceive to be the ideal Christmas. They are also embracing the internet as a means to ease that Christmas shopping experience.
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