Consumers are missing out on thousands of pounds worth of cashback benefits every year.
Research conducted by UK online cashback marketplace, OnBuy, revealed the shocking value of Brits’ unused and unclaimed cashback benefits and rewards – right at the time shoppers need them most.
The poll asked 2,000 UK adults about their online spending and saving habits throughout the year and revealed that almost half (47%) are constantly searching for a bargain thanks to the cost-of-living crisis, yet many are unaware of the hidden benefits of cashback shopping.
As Christmas approaches, budgets are squeezed even further, but only 17% of Brits are using cashback purchases to help them tick off their Christmas list. Many are making more extreme cutbacks instead - 38% already only buy presents for their immediate family.
But there’s no need to shrink the Christmas cheer this year. By switching their shopping habits to claim the cashback that’s waiting for them, British shoppers could add extra oomph to their festive budget. The average person spends £1,574.30 per year on marketplace platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Vinted, Temu, and Shein. Swapping to a cashback platform like OnBuy could save them more than £78.72 in cashback per year*. For the 7% of Brits who admit to spending over a whopping £5,000 per year on these platforms, this figure rises to more than £250.
In addition, OnBuy’s research shows the average consumer is missing out on other sources of cashback savings. More than a quarter (26%) of respondents estimated they’ve missed out on up to £100 worth of credit or debit card rewards benefits in the last year, while 5% said they’ve likely missed up to £7,500. 18% don’t have a credit card, so have no idea how much cash is slipping through their fingers.
If consumers did manage to claim all the cashback that’s waiting for them, it looks like Christmas giving is top of the agenda for most. These are the top five ways people would spend any cashback rewards they could get their hands on:
- Treating friends and family – 52%
- Travelling to new destinations – 27%
- Focusing on health and wellness – 19%
- Attending more live events and cultural activities – 12%
- Advancing their career or business – 10%
Respondents were less keen on more outlandish investments such as “running for political office” (4%), and “joining a cutting-edge space tourism mission” (8%).
Rosie Fitzgerald, Head of Brand and Cashback Expert at OnBuy said of the findings, “Unlike other online marketplaces, when you shop with OnBuy, every purchase delivers that instant cashback boost. There’s no need to wait for big sale moments like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day to get the best possible deal. With OnBuy’s unique cashback approach, consumers receive tangible, cumulative value all year round.
“This month, OnBuy has unlocked £20m of cashback for consumers. We now have 7.5m products with an average of 5% cashback across the site and many with up to 15%. In the run-up to Christmas, shopping smart by taking advantage of cashback deals is the key to stretching budgets and making the most of the festive season.”
OnBuy is the first online marketplace to offer its 6 million customers instant cashback on every product across its site. Shoppers can maximise their savings by taking advantage of OnBuy’s higher rate Cashback deals.
The research also detailed the top 10 items Brits are planning to buy or spend more on than usual on this winter, revealing a preference for basic seasonal comforts:
- Chocolate and sweets – 27%
- A top-quality winter duvet – 21%
- Hot water bottles – 21%
- Rain jackets – 20%
- Cleaning products – 20%
- Vitamins – 19%
- Pet food – 19%
- Toilet roll – 19%
- Hair products – 18%
- Aftershave or perfume – 17%
-ENDS-
Media Contact: press@onbuy.com
About OnBuy
OnBuy is the UK’s largest marketplace and the first globally to offer instant cashback on every product site-wide. Founded by Cas Paton in 2016, OnBuy is one of Britain’s fastest-growing tech challenger brands, recognised by the FT1000, Deloitte Fast 50, Deloitte EMEA Tech Fast 500, and The Sunday Times 100 Tech. As a pure marketplace, OnBuy partners with retailers rather than competing, delivering real value to customers and simple, transparent support to sellers. With millions of products across categories like electricals, toys, beauty, and home & garden, OnBuy empowers thousands of verified retailers to deliver competitive prices and exceptional value.
