Almost a third of Brits had their first experience of shopping online during lockdown, with three quarters (74 per cent) of more frequent online shoppers planning to continue to shop online as Coronavirus restrictions lift, according to new data from Visa.

An Opinium survey of 2,000 British consumers, commissioned by the payments giant, found that 41 per cent had shopped online more frequently than normal and more than a third (34 per cent) say they now prefer to shopping online to browsing in physical retailers.

As lockdown restrictions forced people to stay indoors, 39 per cent of respondents said they had signed up to a new subscription service in the last three months.

The research suggested that fitness and gym equipment (34 per cent), education services (34 per cent) and plants (33 per cent) have been the most popular items being bought for the first time online.

Despite 54 per cent of those surveyed saying they have cut back on non-essential spending, home décor was at the top of many online shopping lists, with over a third (36 per cent) of Britons purchasing DIY essentials, plants, furniture or home furnishings during the lockdown.

Although visiting shops in person may not be an option for some in the short-term, payment behaviours at physical and online retailers have changed as consumers look to keep themselves and others safe.

A total of 42 per cent said they were paying by contactless wherever possible, shopping online where possible (28 per cent) or using smartphones to pay more frequently (nine per cent).

Jeni Mundy, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Visa, said: “Payment behaviours have clearly shifted during lockdown with the restrictions acting as a catalyst for people to make the move online.

"With many of us set to continue shopping online more frequently, it is important to feel sure we are paying securely for everything from groceries and clothing to a new subscription service, or items for the home.”

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