12 December, 2014

By VIVA Team

The Internet has revolutionised how expats and families with relatives overseas shop

For years now, relatives who reside overseas have been unable to use the “lost in the post” excuse for missing birthdays or scrimping on Christmas spending.

Ever since Amazon swept into our collective consciousness, browsing and buying from the comfort of one’s home has revolutionised the way we shop, particularly those who either live overseas or who have relatives who live away from the UK. It has also meant that there is now no excuse not to send a little gift to a loved one far away…

With Christmas just around the corner, Amazon and other online retailers constantly cite this as their busiest time of year. And with more and more Brits living overseas, the expat pound is particularly important during the festive period.

In 2013 there were more than 15.9 million cross-border shoppers in the UK, according to research from online payment company PayPal. This figure denotes all transactions where either the buyer, or delivery address, was located in Britain.

These 15.9 million orders amounted to more than £8.5 million over the course of last year, with experts suggesting that that figure is certain to rise in 2014 as British families become increasingly international and incomes rise once again.

Shopping online can also unearth some incredible savings that are not ordinarily available on the high street. A number of online retailers also sell items and goods exclusively online, meaning not only are costs often lower, but choice is sometimes greater, too.

Then there is the ease with which armchair surfers can get all of their Christmas shopping done at the click of a few buttons. Sure, this approach does not have the same tactile appeal as an afternoon spent browsing stores and treating oneself to a glass or two of mulled wine, but the positives certainly appear to outweigh the negatives.

An insider tip offered by online retail entrepreneur Nick Beeny is to look beyond the .co.uk suffixes and shop globally. Often, goods are priced cheaper in their country of origin, while shipping costs are often negligible.

“The biggest reason to shop globally is of course to make a cost saving,” said Berry, who is founder of online store MyInternationalShopping.com. “Even taking shipping into account, buying from another country can be cheaper than shopping from a UK site. However, an increasing number of retailers are also now offering free international delivery. Choice is another key factor.”

For example, the ever-popular Elsa and Anna dolls from the smash-hit Disney film Frozen retail on Argos.co.uk for £16.99 each. Hong Kong-based dinodirect.com, on the other hand, sells them for £12.99 with free shipping to the UK  – and they are more likely to have the dolls in stock than a home-based retailer.

But if you are hoping to send a gift overseas or back to the UK, be quick – the cutoff date for guaranteed on-time delivery is December 13th for Western Europe.