Sex toys, cheap smells and live insects satisfy UK web shoppers

Davey Winder
Saturday, 11 October 2008 14:10

Business IT - Technology

Now who could have seen that coming? Apparently Brits have the best time online when buying sex toys, cheap perfume and live insects...

Shopzilla.com is one of those shopping search sites, indexing millions of products from thousands of stores. It also has just presented a bunch of awards to deserving online retailers at a gala awards ceremony in London.

The inaugural Circle of Excellence awards raised more than the odd eyebrow as the gongs were handed out to those online retailers deemed to be providing the best shopping experience on the web.

These were based on the results of point-of-sale and after delivery surveys of customers, used to measure both the online shopping experience and post-transaction fulfillment. To win a platinum award the retailer had to finish top of their category.

People buying electric razors online were happy enough, it seems, as were those in the market for a nice tie to go with their shirt. Nothing too unusual in that, nor in shops supplying sports goods and computer kit I guess.

However, if the platinum awards for on-time delivery, customer support and ease of product selection are anything to go by it would appear that the Brits are really at their happiest when shopping online for sex toys, live insects for pet food and cheap perfume.

Scott Macon, Managing Director for Shopzilla Europe, says “The Circle of Excellence Awards recognise the very best online retailers as voted for by the people who really matter, the customers."

Macon added “People in the UK are among the most avid online shoppers in the world and they rightly demand excellence. These awards not only show where that excellence is being achieved but set the benchmark for the future.”

They have also helped in sorting out my Xmas shopping list for this year. I guess I had better make sure I don't give my wife the cheap perfume or my mother-in-law the sex toys. Any suggestions for who gets the live insects are most welcome.