Tag: online shopping

New research reveals over half of Scottish shoppers prefer environmentally friendly products

Two thirds (66%) of Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental impact, but are unsure how to identify them

  • According to an Amazon-commissioned survey, Scottish shoppers find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.
  • More than half (62%) of Scottish shoppers want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.
  • Amazon makes it easier for UK customers to discover and shop for products with sustainability features through Climate Pledge Friendly badging, which lists products’ sustainability impact areas such as recycled materials, energy efficiency, organic content and packaging efficiency.
  • Climate Pledge Friendly partners with vetted and reputable third-party certifications to recognise products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability, enabling shoppers to discover more than 1.4 million badged products globally. More than 60 million Amazon customers globally have switched to a Climate Pledge Friendly product from their usual brand purchases.

According to a recent Amazon-commissioned study of 2,000 British shoppers, two in three (66%) Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental and social impact, but are confused by sustainability statements on product labels.

In fact, Scottish shoppers surveyed find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.

As a result, only 6% of Scottish shoppers say they always understand a product’s environmental impact when they shop. More than half (62%) want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.

Amazon makes it easier for customers to discover and shop for products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability.

Its Climate Pledge Friendly badge helps shoppers to discover and filter products based on clear sustainability features – from products containing recycled materials and designed with less packaging, to items made from organic content and safer chemicals. These features are based on vetted and reputable third-party certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International and Forest Stewardship Council.

Certifications matter to Scottish shoppers, with 80% of respondents saying they are more likely to trust a product’s sustainability claims if it is supported by an official certification from a reputable organisation. 38% also claim to have abandoned a purchase when they did not trust or understand its sustainability claims.

One in three (33%) claim they are more likely to try a new brand or product if their social, ethical and environmental credentials are clear on the product itself, or at the point of sale online, giving them reassurance these brands align with their principles.

“Products with certified sustainability features are a top choice for UK shoppers, and it’s important that customers can easily understand exactly what those features are. At Amazon, we’re taking the guesswork out of the shopping experience, helping customers to shop for items that match their values,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.

Among the most sought-after sustainability features that Scottish shoppers look for are recyclable packaging (43%), kindness to animals (38%), reduced packaging (37%), made with responsible farming and forestry methods (33%) and made with consideration to protecting the rights/health of workers (32%), while 28% seek items made with recycled materials.

The top five product categories that respondents expect to find more sustainable options for include food and beverage items (50%), cleaning products (49%), apparel (37%), cosmetics and beauty (36%), and electronics/appliances (24%).

Nearly 37.6 million Amazon customers have switched to Climate Pledge Friendly badged products in 2023, leading to over 1.16 billion items sold, a 42% increase from 2022 – sending a strong signal to Amazon’s selling partners that customers want to shop for products with sustainability features.

As of today, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly product selection has grown to more than 1.4 million items globally – a 157% increase from 2022.

“Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly certifications help us to communicate our brand commitment to more-sustainable processes and products,” said Tom Lloyd, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Bloomsbury Mill, an award-winning children’s and baby brand in the UK, with several popular Climate Pledge Friendly products on the Amazon UK store.

“The qualification process is reassuringly thorough which means when customers see the Climate Pledge Friendly badge, they can be confident they are purchasing a product that goes some way to help preserve the natural world we live in,”

Amazon’s UK Climate Pledge Friendly programme features more than 50 independent sustainability certifications.

Products which have one or more of these certifications can be found by clicking on Climate Pledge Friendly on Amazon.co.uk.

Each Climate Pledge Friendly-badged product comes with clear and detailed descriptions of their sustainability features and underlying certifications, helping consumers make more informed choices when shopping online.

January Sales? Take Five!

Remember the #TakeFive advice to avoid purchase scams in the January Sales:

⚠️Be suspicious of any ‘too good to be true’ offers or prices

⚠️Use the secure payment method recommended by reputable online retailers and auction sites

⚠️Where possible, use a credit card when making purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 – as you receive extra protection

⚠️Do your research and read online reviews to check websites and sellers are genuine

#StopChallengeProtect✋☝️👊

#TakeFive

Black Friday: Cyber security expert warns shoppers to be vigilant

CYBER criminals will be looking to exploit shoppers during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales – an expert from cyber security firm CSS Assure has warned.

With UK consumers planning to spend an estimated £5.6bn on Black Friday (24 November) and Cyber Monday (27 November) purchases this year, Charlotte Riley, director of information security at technology at CSS Assure, said bargain hunters lowering their guards during the rush to bag the best deals are at greater risk of malicious threats.

Charlotte said: “In the run-up to and during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many outlets will run promotional offers to encourage spending. This is a potentially lucrative time of year for cyber criminals as they know shoppers are less vigilant as they rush to snap up the best deals.

“Cyber criminals will no doubt be looking to take advantage of the vast amount of transactions taking place and the financial information being shared as a result. There is also an increase in promotional email traffic, which makes it hard to differentiate the real bargains from scams – presenting a heightened risk of phishing attacks.

“With this in mind, it is important consumers take steps to protect themselves and their families during two of the biggest shopping days of the year.”

Password management

“Firstly, shoppers should think about the last time they changed their passwords, especially on important accounts. If their passwords are dated then strongly consider changing them, and, if possible, use a password management solution to ensure they are unique and appropriately complex.

“While this is a faff, it is the single greatest defence you can make to protect yourself against a cyber attack and will instantly make you much safer online. Adding an extra layer of security like two-factor authentication can prevent unauthorised access even if someone gets hold of your password.

“Currently, there are millions of emails and passwords for sale on the dark web, which have been breached by companies that have not protected people’s personal data sufficiently. Cyber criminals can buy this data for minimal amounts of money and gain access to your emails.

“They will look for social media accounts and online high street accounts and test your combination to gain access. From this, they can gather more personal data until they have enough to conduct identity theft, which could result in credit being taken out in your name or using your saved payment cards to make online purchases, for example.”

Personal data breach identification

“It is a good idea to understand whether your data has been breached so you can put in place other necessary measures to protect yourself. To do this you can use a free service provided by Have I Been Pwned. All you need to do is enter your email address and the site will tell you whether it is associated with a breach and if so, what other data has been stolen.

“If you have been breached, it is even more important that you change your password to break the chain. Next, you need to understand whether you have been entered into any spambots – as the name suggests, these are bots that send spam to you.

“While some spam is laughable, others are highly credible. If you’re rushing, there’s a higher change you will click a link in a spam email, which could execute malware or ransomware on your device.

“A blended strategy is best for rectifying and avoiding your exposure to spam – and, in turn, the chances of clicking on a malicious link.

“Start by enabling and customising your email provider’s spam filters to automatically detect and redirect suspicious emails to the spam folder. These settings – as well as your security and privacy options – should also be regularly reviewed or adjusted. Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters or promotional emails, and make spam emails as junk within your email platform.

“Some email services offer the option to create disposable or temporary email addresses for specific purposes. This way if the address gets compromised or spammed, you can easily discard it without affecting your primary email. You should also be cautious about sharing your email address on public forums, social media, or unfamiliar websites to minimise exposure to potential spammers.

“While these may seem to be arduous tasks, they are effective and vital ways to protect yourself.”

Check your anti-virus protection

“Finally, make sure your anti-virus protection is installed, activated with a valid licence and updated. While free anti-virus software is available, in life you get what you pay for and it may not protect you sufficiently. Competition to provide the best anti-virus changes year on year between the main vendors as they achieve technology breakthroughs in response to the evolution in cyber threats.

“The best thing to do is check reputable tech websites for reviews of the best current anti-virus software. We recommend buying a one-year licence, and then when it comes to renew, assess which company has moved to the forefront of anti-malware protection. There will always be new customer deals to be had.”

Barclays: Stay vigilant on Black Friday

Barclays report suggests 72% of people living in Scotland will do most or all of their Christmas shopping on Black Friday

34% surge in Black Friday shopping scams last year

  • 72% of people living in Scotland will do most or all of their Christmas shopping on Black Friday
  • 44% of people living in Scotland will do most or all of their Black Friday shopping online
  • 56% of people living in Scotland say they plan to spend between £100 and £400 online shopping this Black Friday
  • After last year’s Black Friday sales, there was a 34 per cent surge in reported purchase scams, according to new Barclays data.
  • Victims lost on average £1,072 to purchase scams during the seasonal shopping period.

New data from Barclays suggests that 72% of people living in Scotland are likely to do all or most of their Christmas shopping on Black Friday with 56% saying they will spend between £100 and £400 on the day.

The figures also reveal that 36% of people living in Scotland will be relying on Black Friday sales more than previous years as they are looking to make savings wherever they can and 31% feel pressure to make purchases as quickly as possible to make sure they get the best deals.

A further 44% plan to do most or all of their Black Friday shopping online this year.

However, the number of reported purchase scams after Black Friday and Cyber Monday across the UK last year rose by 34 per cent, with an average of £1,072 lost to scammers.

Barclays data also shows that the proportion of scams taking place on tech platforms, such as purchase/auctions sites, social media, or dating apps, has increased by 71% since the beginning of 2021.  Currently 77% of all scams take place on these platforms, but at the beginning of 2021 it was just 45%.

With the average Brit expected to spend over £200 on shopping during Black Friday this year, Barclays is urging shoppers to take extra care when purchasing things online throughout the sales season.

The Bank’s findings reveal that worryingly, many consumers are changing their normal behaviour on Black Friday when searching for the best deals.  Almost a third (32%) across the UK feel pressured to make a purchase as quickly as possible to make sure they get the best deal.  

One in five (19%) said they were more likely to take note of a “too good to be true” deal, and a further 17% admitted to shopping on sites they haven’t heard of before if they have particularly good deals or sales.

Ross Martin, Head of Digital Safety at Barclays, said: “Whilst Black Friday is a great way for Brits to save money ahead of the Christmas season, it is important to stay vigilant when making purchases.

“This year more than ever, people will be looking for the best bargains, which could lead them right into the hands of scammers, who will be advertising false offers to lure victims in.

“Just remember – ignore any pressure that is being put on you – and if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Barclays is urging buyers to follow these four steps this Black Friday:

  1. Do your due diligence: Research and read reviews to check the site and the seller are genuine.
  2. View the item: If you can, view the item in person first to make sure it exists, especially if it’s a big purchase, like a smartphone or even a car.
  3. Get a second opinion: Always speak to someone you trust for a second opinion, whether it’s a friend, family member, or your bank.
  4. Be wary of unlikely offers: Many purchase scams offer huge discounts that you wouldn’t normally find at retailers you would normally trust. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information, and tips to stay alert from the latest scams, please visit: www.barclays.co.uk/scams/.

HMRC: Be aware of post-Brexit changes before key Christmas shopping dates

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging online shoppers in Scotland to avoid being hit with unexpected customs charges.

Changes introduced on 1 January 2021 means that consumers who previously had to pay charges when buying certain items from non-EU sellers may now also need to do the same when buying goods from the EU.

Katherine Green and Sophie Dean, Directors General, Borders and Trade, HMRC, said: “With Christmas rapidly approaching, we don’t want shoppers to be caught out by unexpected charges which will take the fun out of their shopping experience.

“There are now a number of factors that people will need to consider when purchasing goods from the EU, so shoppers are being advised to check guidance to ensure they know what they will owe.”

HMRC recommends people look at the seven top tips below to determine whether there will be charges on their goods.

If there are charges to pay, shoppers may also need to pay a “handling fee” to the courier company before their goods are released.

  1.   Be aware of where you, the recipient, are based.
  • Shoppers based in Northern Ireland won’t be affected by these changes due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, however those in Great Britain should be prepared for potential changes.

2.    Check whether your order contains excise goods, such as tobacco, alcohol or perfume.

  • Unlike other items, there is no lower threshold for customs charges when it comes to excise goods, so there will be charges due no matter the value or origin of your goods.
  • Shoppers buying excise goods will need to pay import VAT and excise duty. They may also need to pay customs duty (see tip 7 for more info).
  1. Check whether your order is worth more than £135, before extra costs, such as shipping and insurance are applied.
  • Shoppers buying stocking fillers or small value items, not including excise goods, don’t need to worry as goods sent in consignments worth less than £135 should not attract additional charges, as UK VAT is collected by the seller on behalf of HMRC at the point of sale. This also applies to goods being purchased from non-EU countries.
  • Anyone buying a more expensive product from abroad – over £135 – will now need to pay import VAT and may need to pay customs duty. The amount due will depend on a range of factors, including shipping and insurance costs so, to avoid surprises, consumers should consult their seller. 
  • Shoppers who already know they will need to pay import VAT should make sure their seller does not charge them VAT, otherwise they may be charged twice (see tip 5 for more info).
  1. Be mindful of new charges when sending or receiving gifts from an individual based overseas.
  • If you’re lucky enough to receive a gift from someone based in the EU and it is valued at less than £39 and it does not contain excise goods, it will be exempt from import VAT and customs duty. Above the £39 threshold, import VAT will be due and once the value of the gift reaches £135, customs duty will also be payable. You could also get charged a “handling fee” (see tip 5 for more info).
  • If you are planning on sending a gift to someone based overseas, you should check guidance published by the relevant customs authority to check their specific rules and charges.

5.    Be aware of how and when you could be notified of charges.

  • Anyone needing to pay customs charges will be contacted by the courier company and asked to pay the charges before they can receive their goods. Alternatively, the seller may arrange to pay any charges upfront on your behalf, but you should check with the seller to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

6.    Check the guidance available to you.

  • To help shoppers navigate these changes, HMRC has produced diagrams outlining three fictional scenarios about buying goods from the EU and has published a simple guide on GOV.UK, which also contains essential information on how to dispute a charge, return unwanted goods and to get a refund on the charges paid.

7.    Check with the seller whether the goods originated in the EU and whether they qualify for a “zero tariff”.

  • Customs duty won’t be due on goods if they meet criteria set out in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and a “zero tariff” can be correctly applied.
  • The “Rules of Origin” requirements mean that even if your parcel is valued above £135, if the goods you are buying originate in – or have been sufficiently worked or processed within – the EU, the seller confirms this and the zero tariff is claimed on the customs declaration, you will not need to pay any customs duties although import VAT will still be due.
  • If customs duty is due, the rate – or the Tariff – for each item can be found within the trade tariff tool but it’s recommended you check with your seller to find out exactly what you will owe.

For more information on the changes as well as finding crucial information about how to return goods and get a refund on charges go to GOV.UK

Selling online? Here’s what you need to know about taxes

With online shopping becoming more and more popular, e-commerce and online business start ups are growing at a rapid rate. In fact, according to the Business Data Group, the UK’s e-commerce start-up sector is booming at levels not seen before.

Its research showed that in the week before the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown was announced, more than 500 e-commerce start-ups were formed. Five weeks later, that figure had risen exponentially to almost 1,300 e-commerce start-ups per week – around 800 more than the same week in 2019.

If you own an e-commerce business, or you’re thinking about starting one, then there are special rules and regulations for operating. Here, Zoe Gibbons (above), partner and e-commerce specialist at Perrys Chartered Accountants, explains what you need to know about selling online:

Do online sellers have to pay tax?

Setting up as an online business is a great way to keep overheads to a minimum and benefit from flexible working arrangements. However, like any other business, an e-commerce business will be subject to paying taxes.

If you are self-employed, including as an online seller, then you’ll need to complete an annual self-assessment tax return to disclose any income and expenditure and submit it online to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you are selling items online and it is not part of a business activity, such as selling second-hand possessions on eBay, then you won’t need to pay tax. However, if you plan to do it regularly, this could count as a business even if you already have a job.

As of 2016, the Finance Act gave HMRC the authority to investigate selling sites of individuals who do not appear to be declaring income. This is assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Intention to make a profit as opposed to selling for fun or to raise emergency funds
  • Repetition of similar transactions over a short period of time
  • Borrowing money to fund transactions
  • Inability to prove items sold were pre-loved or used before being listed
  • Items sold at a fixed price in a similar way to other retailers
  • Limited time between purchase and selling of items
  • Modification of items in order to sell them for profit

How much can you sell online before paying tax?

If you’re hoping to make a small amount of money from selling online, then the good news is HMRC currently allows for £1,000 to be earned in sales before any tax is payable.

However, even if you’re selling online on platforms such as eBay, Depop and Gumtree, and you’re not a registered business, once you pass the £1,000 earnings threshold you may be liable for tax as a self-employed individual.

What taxes do online businesses need to pay?

Depending on how your business is set up, the following taxes may apply:

  • Income Tax
  • Corporation Tax
  • National Insurance
  • VAT
  • Employers’ PAYE
  • Business rates

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a professional accountant for any e-commerce business tax related matters.

Is there an online sales tax?

In March 2020, HMRC introduced the Digital Services Tax – a 2% tax on the revenues of search engines, social media services and online marketplaces, which derive value from UK users. The majority of businesses affected by this tax are large multi-national enterprises, such as Amazon, Facebook and Google.

However, the UK Treasury is also investigating the options for introducing an online sales tax in response to the recent shift in shopping patterns and online consumer behaviour. Currently, it is considering a 2% online sales tax on e-commerce sellers and marketplaces.

This could mean that e-commerce businesses will need to pay 2% of tax on their online sales to UK customers.

Do you pay taxes when selling online to other countries?

If you sell goods online to customers who are overseas, then other considerations will apply. For example, your goods may require accompanying documentation and could be subject to customs duty and sales tax on arrival at their destination.

If you are in any doubt, then you should seek the assistance of a qualified accountant who has experience dealing with e-commerce businesses.

Online giants failing to remove online scam adverts, says Which?

Google and Facebook are failing to take action to remove online scam adverts even after fraud victims report them, raising concerns that the reactive approach to fraudulent content taken by online platforms is not fit for purpose, Which? research has revealed. 

The consumer champion’s survey found that a third (34%) of victims who reported an advert that led to a scam on Google said the advert was not taken down by the search engine, while a quarter (26%) of victims who reported an advert on Facebook that resulted in them being scammed said the advert was not removed by the social media site.

Which? believes that the significant flaws with the current reactive approaches taken to tackling online scams makes a clear case for online platforms to be given legal responsibility for preventing fake and fraudulent adverts from appearing on their sites.

Which? is calling for the government to take the opportunity to include content that leads to online scams in the scope of its proposed Online Safety Bill.

Of those who said they had fallen victim to a scam as a result of an advert on a search engine or social media, a quarter (27%) said they’d fallen for a fraudulent advert they saw on Facebook and one in five (19%) said a scam targeted them through Google adverts. Three per cent said they’d been tricked by an advert on Twitter.

The survey also highlighted low levels of engagement with the scam reporting processes on online platforms. Two in five (43%) scam victims conned by an advert they saw online, via a search engine or social media ad, said they did not report the scam to the platform hosting it.

The biggest reason for not reporting adverts that caused a scam to Facebook was that victims didn’t think the platform would do anything about it or take it down – this was the response from nearly a third (31%) of victims.

For Google, the main reason for not reporting the scam ad was that the victim didn’t know how to do so – this applied to a third (32%) of victims. This backs up the experience of Which?’s researchers who similarly found it was not immediately clear how to report fraudulent content to Google, and when they did it involved navigating five complex pages of information.

Worryingly, over half (51%) of 1,800 search engine users Which? surveyed said they did not know how to report suspicious ads that appear in their search listings, while over a third (35%) of 1,600 social media users said they didn’t know how to report a suspicious advert seen on social media channels

Another issue identified by victims that Which? has spoken to is that even if fake and fraudulent adverts are successfully taken down they often pop up again under different names.

One scam victim, Stefan Johansson, who lost £30.50, told Which? he had repeatedly reported a scam retailer operating under the names ‘Swanbrooch’ and ‘Omerga’ to Facebook.

He believes the social media site has a ‘scattergun’ approach to removing the ads and says that a week rarely goes by when he doesn’t spot dodgy ads in his newsfeed, posted by what he suspects are unscrupulous companies.

Another victim, Mandy, told Which? she was tricked by a fake Clarks ‘clearance sale’ advert she saw on Facebook. She paid £85 for two pairs of boots, but instead she received a large box containing a pair of cheap sunglasses.

‘I’ve had a lot of back and forth with my bank over the past six months, trying to prove that I didn’t receive what I ordered,’ Mandy said. Facebook has since removed this advert and the advertiser’s account.

The tech giants make significant profits from adverts, including ones that lead to scams. These companies have some of the most sophisticated technology in the world but the evidence suggests they are failing to use it to prevent scammers from abusing the platforms by using fake and fraudulent content on an industrial scale to target victims.

The combination of inaction from online platforms when scam ads are reported, low reporting levels by scam victims, and the ease with which advertisers can post new fraudulent adverts even after the original ad has been removed, suggests that online platforms need to take a far more proactive approach to prevent fraudulent content from reaching potential victims in the first place.

Consumers should also sign up to Which?’s scam alert service in order to familiarise themselves with some of the latest tactics used by fraudsters, particularly given the explosion of scams since the coronavirus crisis.

The consumer champion has also launched a Scam Sharing tool to help it gather evidence in its work to protect consumers from fraud. The tool has received more than 2,500 reports since it went live three weeks ago.

Adam French, Consumer Rights Expert at Which?, said: “Our latest research has exposed significant flaws with the reactive approach taken by tech giants including Google and Facebook in response to the reporting of fraudulent content – leaving victims worryingly exposed to scams.

“Which? has launched a free scam alert service to help consumers familiarise themselves with the latest tactics used by fraudsters, but there is no doubt that tech giants, regulators and the government need to go to greater lengths to prevent scams from flourishing.

“Online platforms must be given a legal responsibility to identify, remove and prevent fake and fraudulent content on their sites. The case for including scams in the Online Safety Bill is overwhelming and the government needs to act now.”

Google responded: “We’re constantly reviewing ads, sites and accounts to ensure they comply with our policies. As a result of our enforcement actions (proactive and reactive), our team blocked or removed over 3.1 billion ads for violating our policies.

“As part of the various ways we are tackling bad ads, we also encourage people to flag bad actors they’re seeing via our support tool where you can report bad ads directly. It can easily be found on Search when looking for “How to report bad ads on Google” and filling out the necessary information. It is simple for consumers to provide the required information for the Google ads team to act accordingly.

“We take action on potentially bad ads reported to us and these complaints are always manually reviewed.”

“We have strict policies that govern the kinds of ads that we allow to run on our platform. We enforce those policies vigorously, and if we find ads that are in violation we remove them. We utilize a mix of automated systems and human review to enforce our policies.”

A spokesperson for Facebook responded: “Fraudulent activity is not allowed on Facebook and we have taken action on a number of pages reported to us by Which?.

“Our 35,000 strong team of safety and security experts work alongside sophisticated AI to proactively identify and remove this content, and we urge people to report any suspicious activity to us. Our teams disable billions of fake accounts every year and we have donated £3 million to Citizens Advice to deliver a UK Scam Action Programme.”

A Twitter spokesperson said: “Where we identify violations of our rules, we take robust enforcement action.

“We’re constantly adapting to bad actors’ evolving methods, and we will continue to iterate and improve upon our policies as the industry evolves.”

To sign up to Which?’s scam alert service visit: www.which.co.uk/scamalerts

What are the best Cashback Apps?

HOW TO SAVE HUNDREDS ON YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING

Cashback apps and coupon sites can provide a quick boost when times are tough, but how do you sort the savers from the scammers?

Due to the disruption of Covid-19, purse strings are a little tighter right now for many, meaning people are using cashback apps to claw back some much-needed cash.

However, not every app is worth investing your time in, with some not being exactly what they appear. 

Watch out for sites that charge a hefty sign-up fee, or that ask for more personal information than you should need to provide. If a site doesn’t have clear, easy to read FAQs that spell out how to get your money and what their privacy policy is, don’t trust them. 

To help consumers get the from their apps, the personal finance experts at money.co.uk have provided expert tips on some of the best cashback apps to download now.  The definitive guidance will help save money on your online shopping, sorting the must have apps from the technical time wasters. 

The cashback apps to download now

  1. Shoppix

One of the most popular new reward apps, Shoppix works by building up tokens that can be exchanged for gift vouchers or cash prizes. To earn tokens, users have to take pictures of their receipts on their phone and upload them. Additionally, you can complete surveys each day to collect tokens. Tokens can be exchanged for £5, £10, or £20 prizes on the app, which are paid into your account via PayPal or in gift card format. 

Top Tip: Bonus tokens are awarded for scanning receipts on the same day you make your purchase, so snap them quickly to save more!

2.            TopCashBack

Unlike other apps which require you to snap receipts, TopCashBack is remarkably low effort. To earn cashback, you simply have to make purchases from select retailers (brands include everything from Carphone Warehouse, to Plusnet, Sky, PrettyLittleThing, RAC and more), and you’ll receive your reward via gift cards or PayPal. The percentage of cashback you receive varies depending on the brand you’re shopping with and can also be affected by seasonal offers – so make sure to check the site regularly for the latest deals. 

Top Tip: Cash isn’t always better – the amount you earn using vouchers can be 20% more than the cash equivalent, so check both options before you pick your reward. 

3.            Quidco 

Quidco is TopCashBack’s main rival and works in much the same way – giving you cashback on purchases through major retailers. The only real difference between the two apps is the brands that are available: Quidco has a number of household names as partners including Amazon, Argos, Boots, Just Eat and more. If you can, it’s more than worth downloading both Quidco and TopCashBack, to ensure you don’t miss out on any savings. 

Top Tip: Check the estimated times on your cashback – some brands take longer than others when going through Quidco to process rewards, so make sure to factor this in when budgeting to avoid being caught short. 

4.            SwagBucks

SwagBucks is another app that gives you rewards (or ‘SB points’) through online purchases that can then be redeemed for cash or vouchers. The big difference with SwagBucks is that as well as cashback through purchases, SB points can be awarded from completing a huge variety of surveys, games and reviews. 

Top Tip: Many of the surveys and video reviews are incredibly short, so you don’t have to dedicate hours in order to save, just check in a few times a day and spend a few minutes on the app each time.

5.            Honey

Honey is completely different to other cashback apps, in fact it’s not even an app at all – it’s a free Chrome extension – that automatically searches for discount codes and coupons when you checkout at major retailers. In essence, you don’t have to do any work at all, just download and start saving. 

Top Tip: Aside from the discount code function, Honey also sends you rewards such as gift cards based on your purchases – make sure to check your inbox (and your junk) to avoid missing out.  

Ask the Expert 

On cashback apps, Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at Money.co.uk says: “Cashback apps make their own money in a variety of ways; some get a commission on transactions made via major retailers, and some sell shopping trends data to third parties to make profit.

“Whichever app you use, make sure you check out their website first to identify how they use your data to check you’re happy with the terms.

“While it is possible to earn hundreds, or even thousands in some cases via cashback apps, the total saving usually boils down to how much time you’re willing to commit to using them.

“If you are time poor, try one of the apps that gives rewards on direct purchases such as TopCashBack or Quidco. However, if you do have the time to organise and scan your receipts, Shoppix or a similar receipt scanning brand will be the most profitable for you in the long run.

“Finally, if you take your rewards in gift card form, always make a note of the expiry dates, as the date might not be the same as a physical card bought in store. If you take your rewards in cash via PayPal, make sure to transfer it into another account immediately, to avoid being caught out by a refund or cancelled transaction.”

For more information on how you can use mobile apps to keep track of your cash, make money or even boost your credit rating, visit this handy guide put together by the personal finance experts at money.co.uk: 

https://www.money.co.uk/guides/best-apps-for-managing-money

Nearly 9 in 10 Scots will keep shopping more online despite lockdown easing

Why our weekly shop may never be the same post Covid-19

  • New research shows that many of the online shopping habits we have adopted over lockdown are here to stay
  • 61% of Brits say they shopped more online during Covid-19 with 89% saying they will continue to shop as much online or even more post-lockdown
  • The impact on businesses could be huge with the uptick in buying groceries, home and garden products, and hygiene products all set to stick around

Your weekly shop may never be the same according to brand new research which shows lockdown may well have permanently changed Brits’ buying habits.

Trading in the shopping trolley for a laptop, the figures show that the huge rise in online shopping during the pandemic will be anything but a flash in the pan, with shoppers keen to continue to log on and check out.

An e-commerce revolution

Covid-19 is ushering in a new age of consumer behaviour according to research which shows the vast majority of Brits plan to stick to their lockdown online buying habits.

Retailers have seen online sales increase dramatically with 61% of Brits admitting to shopping more online during Covid19. This rapid increase in ecommerce is expected to add £5.3bn to UK ecommerce sales in 2020, totalling £78.9bn[1].

It looks like this rapid e-commerce revolution is here to stay, with 89% saying they will continue to shop online at the same level or even more post-lockdown.  An overwhelming 93% of Brits now feel confident about buying items online. 

One of the categories that has seen the biggest increase include groceries, with 39% of Brits reporting an increase in online shopping. As much of our attention turned towards our homes, it’s no wonder that 29% of Brits reported increased online shopping for home and garden products – contributing to the 41% of Brits who received a home, garden or DIY related product since the Covid-19 crisis[2]. 

The research is borne out further by statistics from DS Smith, a leading provider of e-commerce packaging in Europe, with the company seeing a 100% increase in packaging demand for food packaging, flowers, and hygiene products sold online since the start of the pandemic.

The new normal

Even with lockdown easing, DS Smith’s research shows that many of these new shopping trends catalysed by Covid-19 are here to stay, with more than half of Brits planning to buy groceries (60%), hygiene products (51%), and home and garden products (54%) online at the same rate or higher in the next six months. 

Across all surveyed categories – except beauty – men reported a greater uptick than women and said they were more likely to continue with their online shopping habits. 

Trying something new

The changes aren’t just about volume. Not only are we buying more online, we’re also buying in new ways. Nearly a third of Brits said they have signed up to a new shopping website that they hadn’t used before lockdown and spending on meal kits and grocery delivery boxes soared by 114% after people were told to stay indoors. 

 There’s also evidence that Brits did pick up new lockdown hobbies, spiking online orders for leisure products. DS Smith’s data shows a 60% increase in demand for e-commerce solutions for leisure.

One in five (19%) have been embracing their creative side during lockdown by ordering arts and crafts items and Peloton, fitness equipment maker, saw their quarterly revenue soar by 66% since Covid-19 took hold.

As a result of these accelerated changes and to meet new customer demand, businesses large and small have been forced to rapidly initiate or adapt e-commerce offerings – a process which may have taken years without the imperative provided by the global pandemic.

Stefano Rossi, Packaging CEO at DS Smith, said “There has been a seismic shift in the way consumers are shopping and we’ve been using our expertise to support businesses of all sizes with the rapid growth of e-commerce so they can survive and thrive through this uncertain time.​

“What’s clear is that as lockdown eases further, these trends aren’t likely to fall away.  Consumers have found new confidence and convenience in the way they shop, buying a whole range of items online – everything from the family food shop, to toiletries and home and garden products. If companies are not already transforming their business to meet this new age of e-commerce, they risk being left behind.​”

What drives the e-consumer?

Reasons for buying online during the pandemic splits by gender and the generation.  Men and younger people prioritise convenience, while women and older generations focus on safety.

However, as a green recovery and building back better becomes a global priority, sustainability is an increasing concern for shoppers post-lockdown.

Almost a quarter (24%) are more likely to buy online if items are delivered with less packaging or more sustainable packaging, and 21% are more likely to buy online if their products arrive in more recyclable packaging.  

Of the age groups, those between 25 and 34 were most sustainability conscious and women held this as a higher priority than men (27% of women would rather deliveries had less packaging than compared with 21% of men).

Consumers have different reasons for why they have drastically increased online shopping during Covid-19. There are nuances between genders for choosing to shop online, with 35% of men shopping online more for convenience, whereas 48% of women said safety was the main reason they have been buying items online.

Interestingly, Brits are also mirroring some of their brick and mortar shopping habits online; a third of people have “window shopped” online or kept a wish list during lockdown and over a third of Brits bargain hunt online.

Stefano Rossi, added: “The research shows that greener packaging is a real concern for shoppers and as we help our customers make a green recovery a practical reality and priority through simple measures like adopting sustainable packaging.

“We’re keen to help brands and businesses navigate this path and work with them so that they can benefit from sustainable packaging solutions that its very clear their customers desire.”

Which? launches tool to tackle profiteers

Which? has developed a simple tool for people to report coronavirus profiteering amid concerns that price-gougers are getting away with hiking the prices of essential items.

The consumer champion has uncovered widespread problems with basic products being sold for hugely inflated prices on online marketplaces such as Amazon Marketplace and eBay – and there are concerns that similar behaviour could be happening on other sites and in shops up and down the country.

These practices may have left key workers and charities struggling to get essential products they need or forced to pay extortionate prices.

Which? spoke to a charity that helps provide hundreds of meals to elderly and vulnerable people – demand for this vital service has gone up since the Covid-19 crisis. However the price of essential items to keep its employees and vulnerable clients safe, such as antibacterial probe wipes, which the charity has only been able to buy in the high quantities they need from eBay, has more than doubled since the crisis.

The Competition and Markets Authority has set up a dedicated Covid-19 taskforce, and reports shared using the tool will help the regulator to establish the scale of the problem and take action against the worst offenders. Which? is also calling for emergency legislation to give regulators the tools to swiftly crack down on price-gouging on certain essential products during this crisis, and any future ones.

The CMA and Chartered Trading Standards Institute have both raised serious concerns about problems with price-gouging and the Prime Minister has also warned traders against “exploiting people’s need” during a national emergency.

Which? has heard reports from hundreds of consumers that unscrupulous sellers have been taking advantage of the situation and its investigations have uncovered huge price hikes on products such as handwash, cleaning products and baby formula.

Which? experts have found Dettol bleach and cleaning sprays being sold by third-party sellers with price hikes of almost 1000 per cent more than the typical price on eBay with evidence of dozens of purchases being made at these prices.

Researchers also encountered sterilising fluid for baby bottles for more than 10 times the original price by a seller on Amazon and a bundle of one handwash and one antibacterial gel for £30 on eBay, instead of the £3.50 it would usually cost.

Some shoppers have felt pressured into buying these overpriced products because of a lack of alternative options available, including older and more vulnerable people who need access to vital hygiene products such as hand sanitiser.

One told Which?: “I’m disabled and struggle to leave my home, but the current crisis is forcing me to go out and struggle to get essentials when I normally get as much online as I can.

“My trust in buying from online marketplaces has been shattered, some items are fine if I find it at a reasonable price, but others I can’t trust as they’re either gouged, possibly diluted and therefore useless, or it’s a scam listing and the item never existed to begin with.”

Another said: “I paid £19.80 plus £5.25 for post and packaging for 2 x 250ml of hand sanitiser from a seller on eBay. Outrageous price but we are a captive audience and it was the cheapest I could find. Someone is getting very rich from this pandemic.”

Which? has also heard numerous reports of price-gouging at bricks and mortar retailers including pharmacies.

Which? is calling for the government to introduce specific legislation to stop unjustifiable price hikes of essential items during times of emergency, as well as requiring online marketplaces to ensure compliance on their sites or face enforcement action.

New legislation would also give the UK a head start in tackling price-gouging during any future emergencies. The absence of legislation has made it harder to take action on this issue swiftly and left the UK trailing behind other countries that already have laws to combat price-gouging during crises.

In the meantime, Which? believes online marketplaces need to bring in stricter, more effective controls and policies to tackle price gouging, and is encouraging the CMA to take strong enforcement action using its existing powers where appropriate.

Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection at Which?, said: “It is unacceptable for people to be left at the mercy of unscrupulous sellers during a national emergency. We’re calling for people to report opportunistic coronavirus profiteers via our tool so that we can press home the need for swift action and put an end to price-gouging on basic goods.

“The government, working with the CMA, needs to step in with emergency legislation to crack down on price-gouging and keep the price of essential items reasonable during a crisis.”

Link for consumers to submit reports to Which?’s price-gouging tool: https://www.which.co.uk/pricegouging