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Broadband provider highlights bargain prices online

Monday, February 18, 2013 - 14:54 by Sarah Collinson

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TalkTalk has revealed that the gap between the price you will pay for a product on the high street compared to its cost when purchased via safe shopping online, is growing faster than previously thought.

It recently published the Digital Retail Price Index, which provides an accurate overview of the current state of the e-commerce market and indicates that consumers who want to save money should always turn to the web before heading to bricks and mortar outlets.

TalkTalk spokesperson, Tristia Clarke, said that online prices are falling at a rate not seen since 2007, according to USwitch.

In the final three months of last year, e-commerce prices were down by an average of 1.2 per cent. Conversely, inflation meant that high street shoppers were having to deal with price inflation of three per cent.

Clarke pointed out that those who use safe shopping online to buy the majority of their items will end up saving a considerable amount, compared to those who stick with real world retail outlets.

In addition, this state of affairs is unlikely to alter in the foreseeable future, according to Clarke, who believes that online retailers will flourish, while high street stores flounder.

Unfortunately for 7.5 million of the UK's adults who do not have internet access at home, the availability of such significant savings is not universal.

This is why the government investment in improving the nation's broadband infrastructure is so important. Without it there will be a real divide between affluent people, who are able to make savings by shopping online and those who do not have the means to shop affordably because they do not possess a means to indulge in e-commerce.

Clarke said that all families are having to watch costs more closely at the moment, which is why affordable online shopping is becoming more appealing.