Half of Brits Use Self- Service To Purchase ‘Embarrassing’ Products

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun. 2, 2011 - It seems that self-service machines are not only used as a means of convenience, as a new study from the UK’s leading discount website has revealed that just under half of Britons use them as a means of saving face at the tills.
In a new study by www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, looking into the grocery shopping habits of Britons, 48% of those polled admitted that they used self-service tills in order to ‘purchase embarrassing products discreetly.’ When asked to stipulate what products these tended to be, ‘sex aids’ and ‘condoms’ topped the charts.
1,349 men and women aged 18 and over from around the UK took part in the poll, answering questions surrounding their grocery shopping habits.
Respondents were  initially asked, “Do you use self-service tills in supermarkets?” to which 71% of those taking part answered “yes.”
These respondents were then asked to select, from multiple answers, the main reasons why they would choose to use a self-service checkout rather than a manned alternative. The top three results were as follows:
1) Quicker – 62%
2) Less Interaction with Staff – 57%
3) To Purchase Embarrassing Products Discreetly– 48%
Just under half, 48%, of respondents admitted to using self-service tills in order to buy embarrassing products. These respondents were then asked to choose from multiple answers what products they bought, that were most likely to make them head to the self-service tills. The top five results were as follows:
1) Sex aids (lubricant, sexual performance enhancers etc) – 37%
2) Condoms – 34%
3) Genital creams- 28%
4) Feminine hygiene products- 25%
5) Incontinence Products – 19%
When asked, two thirds, 63%, of those taking part in the study admitted to taking a look at the products in other peoples’ trollies at the checkouts. Furthermore, three quarters, 74%, admitted to having put back products they intended to purchase in a supermarket as they were ‘too embarrassed’ to do so.
Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, commented on the findings:
“We’re always looking into what Britons do and don’t like about shopping in-store, and the habits they tend to stick to. Self- service tills have become extremely popular over recent years, and it’s interesting to see the main reasons why people use them; not only for ease, but in order to purchase embarrassing products.”
He continued:
“Self-service tills do add an element of privacy to the shopping experience, and can be good for anyone who is a little embarrassed about buying particular products. Just remember that some products do require the assistance of staff should they have extra security attached, which could foil attempts at buying a product more discreetly! Shopping online can be a good alternative for those too embarrassed to buy certain items in store.”
ENDS
LINK: http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk
For more information or to arrange interviews  please contact Emma Kent of 10 Yetis Public Relations Agency on  01452 348211 or emmak@10yetis.co.uk.

Editor’s Notes

Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes is a regular media contributor regarding online shopping and the credit crunch. At 30, his personal worth is more than £60 million. Mark was previously a trainee chef working for Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, London.

Mark appeared as a ‘Secret Millionaire’ in the series on Channel 4, in which he donated £115,000 of his own money to worthy causes.

MyVoucherCodes has had sales exceeding £600 m in the last year

Consumer savings on online shopping via MyVoucherCodes.co.uk up from £52m in 2009 to £65m in 2010.

MyVoucherCodes is the UK’s most popular discount site