This is on top of around £25 being paid out, experts have said
Millions of Brits are having to fork out almost £10 each in what has been labelled a ‘summer tax’.
Recent research has uncovered that UK residents are shelling out approximately £163m on speedy delivery for last-minute purchases throughout the summer period. A survey of 2,000 people discovered 31% have paid premium rates for rapid shipping on items required for heatwaves, holidays and entertaining. An average £9.82 is spent to receive essentials such as fans (26%), sun cream (26%) and swimwear (24%) quickly.
This comes in addition to the average £25.16 typically spent on the unplanned warm weather purchases themselves. Over half (51%) spend beyond their expectations during the summer period, while 53% have observed ‘heatwave hikes’, where costs for sought-after products increase when temperatures soar.
As the weather heats up, 40% of respondents said they have turned to online shopping or dashed out to stock up during hot spells, only to discover prices rising simultaneously, particularly for sun cream (49%), cold beverages (45%) and fans (40%).
The study was commissioned by Joybuy, the recently-launched online retailer, to mark its Summer Black Friday – which seeks to help consumers save time and money on seasonal necessities, with rapid delivery that doesn’t incur additional charges. A spokesperson for the brand said: “Summer should be about making memories, not stressing about forgotten essentials, delivery delays or scrambling to find what you need at the last minute.
“Yet, our research shows that for many Brits, the season comes with a surprising amount of shopping pressure, from heatwaves and holidays to spontaneous plans with family and friends. We believe shopping should be a source of joy, not frustration.”
The study also revealed the effect of ‘forgotten essentials’ on summer finances, with 46% of respondents acknowledging they have failed to purchase or pack an essential item before a summer holiday or day trip. Sun cream (30%), toiletries (29%), and sunglasses (28%) are amongst the most frequently forgotten items.
Others confessed to leaving behind phone chargers (26%), travel adaptors (22%) and headphones (14%). The repercussions of this can prove expensive, as 56% ended up purchasing items while already travelling, with 32% acquiring them at the airport.
The warmer months are also placing strain on people’s finances more generally, with many stating they find it more difficult to adhere to a spending plan in summer. Consequently, 21% now consider summer the most expensive period of the year for unplanned expenditure.
