Polly Mackenzie, Author, Katie Evans, Author
Night-time shopping
27 October 2016
This report shines a light on the growing problem of the online retail environment for vulnerable consumers, with a particular focus on night-time shopping and mental health. Overnight shoppers find themselves repeatedly making unaffordable purchases they later regret, often causing themselves significant financial self-harm.
Research by Money and Mental Health shows that consumers with mental health problems report night-time shopping as particularly damaging. Shoppers often feel they are unfairly targeted with email marketing and TV shopping at night when their defences are down. The hours of midnight to 5am are when they are most vulnerable because of lack of sleep and because they are alone – with family members in bed.