UK shoppers are increasingly using delivery services to order goods from the internet rather than hitting the high street, a survey has claimed.

The study, from consumer research specialist Intersperience, attributes a great deal of this shift in spending to the increasing prevalence of smartphones.

It found one in three people have used their smartphone to check the prices of competing products, look for reviews and compare specifications, indicating the level of choice multichannel shopping can offer consumers.

The tendency to look for deals is seen as a product of the potential recession, with 65 per cent of respondents admitting the economic situation had affected their Christmas shopping.

Intersperience chief executive Paul Hudson said the number of online transactions had risen.

"This shows that there is an increased trust in online delivery as people are confident that even high-end goods can be paid for and delivered securely and safely," he added.

Shop Direct Group recently announced a surge in m-commerce, revealing sales conducted over smartphones accounted for 11 per cent of its Christmas trade.

Author:  Gillian Walters