Visa research shows online shopping the key to controlled spending

London, 29 September, 2006

New research released by Visa UK indicates that online spending as opposed to high street shopping may be the best way to keep a closer grip on your purse strings. Indeed, more and more of us find internet shopping the perfect antidote to a hectic lifestyle, with over half of those surveyed choosing to buy online in the evening when most shops are closed.

According to Visa's research 72% of women admit that they are more in control of their spending when shopping on line than in the shops as they are less likely to fall prey to frivolous retail temptation. Men tend to shop online more than women (54.3% vs 42%), while those aged 55-64 shop online just as much as 16-24 year olds (53% for both groups).

When it comes to barriers to internet shopping, security remains the biggest concern with over one third of respondents (31%) followed by the inability to touch, feel and sample products prior to purchase (21%).

Comments Sandra Alzetta, head of Verified by Visa: "With internet shopping up by 68% during the first 6 months of 2006 compared with the same period in 2005, online payments are flourishing in the UK. We are entering the biggest shopping period of the year in the few months before Christmas so shopping online is a perfect way to make sure you get the very best deals, get access to the best gifts but also maintain control of your spending. We urge all cardholders to join the 3 million people who are already signed up to Verified by Visa - the secure easy to use password protected service that verifies a cardholder's identity whilst shopping online."

Particular areas where people expect to spend more over the internet in the coming year include booking travel (46%), paying for entertainment (42%) and purchasing gifts (40%). Around a third of people questioned (28%) expect to buy more clothes online (28%) over the next 12 months.

Concludes Sandra Alzetta: "Consumer confidence in Verified by Visa is already well established with usage up threefold since last year. In addition, consumers are so much more confident shopping online with Verified by Visa that they tend to spend more at participating retail outlets. This is a strong incentive for retailers to sign up to the scheme."

Visa cardholders can get more information and benefit from fantastic offers by verified by Visa until 14th October by visiting www.visa.co.uk

*Verified by Visa is an easy to use password protected service that verifies a cardholder's identity whilst shopping online.

Ends

Notes to editors

·The Visa survey was carried out by TNS Global between 15th - 17th September 2006 among 733 people who had internet access within a total base of 1009.
·Verified by Visa provides proof that a genuine cardholder and a genuine Visa retailer are taking part in the transaction, protecting them against the risk of their card being used fraudulently on the internet.
·Signing up to Verified by Visa is easy. All cardholders have to do is provide a personal password when paying for goods online with their Visa card just as they would provide a PIN or signature on the high street.
·In the UK there are 2.2 billion e-commerce transactions a month on Visa credit and debit cards.
·Cardholders conducted 179m transactions over the internet during the first half of 2006, representing a 63% increase on the previous year.
·The average purchase at a Verified by Visa merchant by a cardholder using a password is £119 compared with the average purchase at other internet merchants which is only £64.33.
·Banks which currently participate in the Verified by Visa scheme include Barclays, Lloyds, HBoS, HSBC, RBS, NAG with further banks planning to go live with the scheme in 2007.

The Visa Europe press office only deals with media enquiries relating to the organisation's activities in the region. Journalists should email: europeanmedia@visa.com