Online shops beat the high street at Christmas

Robert Powell hits the streets to find out what the public are shopping for online thie Christmas...

Avoiding the crowds and the cold, just two reasons why more and more people are turning to the web to do their Christmas shopping this year.

But these aren’t the only advantages of online shopping – there are also bargains to be had all over the net.

So I’ve taken to the streets to find out what the public buy online and how much they think they can save by doing it...

Electricals

You can save as much as 17% when buying electrical goods online this Christmas.

The savings available for Apple branded gear are smaller, due to the company's control on supply – but still, heading to the web will shave 6% off a brand new iMac.

Prices correct as of 30.11.2011

But whenever you buy electrical goods online, always check the website's returns policy, as some of the biggest internet bargains will often come from online stores based abroad.

For a £10 CD order this is fine, but if you’re after a £400 telly you may want to consider a site based a little closer to home.

DVDs

Most new DVDs are around £13 to £15 pounds on the high street, while on sites like Amazon and play.com you can usually pick up the latest big releases for under a tenner.

Prices correct as of 30.11.2011

Some of the biggest online savings for DVD are on box sets. The second series of hit drama Downton Abbey is 40% cheaper on the web than on the high street.

You can also save around 20 to 23% on newly release discs like Bridesmaids and Ed Byrne Live by heading online.

Beauty Products

Make up, perfume and aftershave may not seem like an obvious choice for online purchases, but there are huge savings to be had at sites like Cheap Smells and Perfume Plus. As you can see, some products are 29% cheaper online, compared with the high street.

Prices correct as of 30.11.2011

Online beauty shops are perfect if you know exactly what product you’re after. But even if you don’t, there’s nothing to stop you finding the perfume you want on the high street – and then buying online cheaper.

So there you have it. The last posting dates for many sites are around the 18th to the 20th of December, so get shopping!