An insight from Kelkoo http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/, into how to make the most of your hard earned cash

Following the onset of the credit crunch in the UK , the UK 's leading shopping comparison site, Kelkoo http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/ , reveals consumers are tightening their purse strings and seeking smarter ways to cut the costs of everyday items and significant purchases. This new generation of sharp shoppers expect more; they want the best price coupled with a reliable, time sensitive delivery service.

How Kelkoo can help

The average Kelkoo user can often expect to save 15-20% on their important purchases compared to the high street. Kelkoo users have access to 3000+ brands and 41 of the top 50 retailers in the UK (Hitwise UK , Dec 07). This selection ensures consumers have the widest choice, empowering smart shopping decisions at a time when finances are squeezed. " Kelkoo truly is a one-stop shop providing, on average, 10x the number of search results compared to competitors when searching for top products such as Amy Winehouse Back to Black, Nintendo Wii or Apple Macbook Air," comments Bruce Fair, MD, Kelkoo UK.

Sharp Shopping in action

The current economic climate is breeding a new generation of savvy shoppers and results from Kelkoo show an 18% increase in people searching for essential household items such as home appliances, clothing and electricals. These statistics really are a sign of the times with Pay As You Go mobile phones consistently featuring in the top ten searches as people look to move away from 'contract lifestyles' and claw back their regular commitments. Other key household items like washing machines, TV and fridges also hit the top searches as people look to replace products that have come to the end of their life cycle at a competitive price.

Other items that we just can't live without such as prams and baby essentials for expectant parents are hitting the top ten searches as smart shoppers look to secure a good deal. A BT Baby Monitor 150 which retails at £69.99 can be found on Kelkoo, through Amazon for £57.99, a saving of 17%. Expectant parents can also secure a Maxi Cosi XR car seat for £84.00 through baby's mart, compared to the high street where it can be found for around £98.00 - representing a pretty good saving.

Scott and Jo Lovell, proud new parents to baby Lucy, and avid users of Kelkoo recently used the site to find all their new baby essentials. "We just didn't realise how expensive a baby could be and with Jo planning to give up work for at least the first year of Lucy's life we had to find a cost effective way to purchase all the equipment we felt we needed. I think we probably saved ourselves in the region of £400 by savvy shopping on the site," commented Scott.

Interestingly data from Kelkoo reveals people are not necessary cutting back on high-end brands or non-essential purchases, they are simply looking to get the best price. For example a Sharp 32in HD ready LCD TV can be found on Kelkoo through AudioVisual for £689 including delivery, compared to the high street where it retails for approximately £769.00 - a fantastic saving of £80.00. A Miele washer dryer with a typical retail price of £999.00 can be found on Kelkoo, through dixons.co.uk, for just £829.00, a saving of £170.00.

Carol Alexander, who has recently invested over £10,000 in a new kitchen for her family's dream home, chose to invest in premium appliances. "I felt it was important to buy goods and appliances for the kitchen that would last a good ten years as we plan to stay in the property for the foreseeable future. I found Kelkoo really useful and it certainly helped me to secure the best prices coupled with a good selection of quality retailers," noted Carol.

As well as looking to cut the cost of these important purchases people are expecting more from their retailer. Trends from Kelkoo show users want to shop with confidence knowing that their purchases will arrive in one piece at a specified time. "Trends from the site show users are increasingly prepared to pay a premium to save spending a day at home waiting for an order to arrive. Kelkoo's search listings offer transparency by always incorporating the delivery price," comments Kelkoo's MD, Bruce Fair.

Caroline Robinson, a wildlife photography enthusiast and regular Kelkoo user recently purchased a Nikon D40x digital camera at Jessops.com through Kelkoo for £380 saving herself £120 on the typical retail price. "Kelkoo offered me transparency not only on price, but also on delivery. I was able to buy my preferred product from a retailer I trust at a significant cost saving compared to the high street. I could have secured a cheaper price through Kelkoo but I chose to buy from a retailer which provided me with flexible delivery options and was ISIS certified. I might be retired but it doesn't mean I want to hang around waiting for a delivery to arrive," commented Caroline.

Caroline reflects a growing trend of people using Kelkoo who look to secure the right price, coupled with the reassurance that ISIS (Internet Shopping is Safe) 1 provides. "A flexible approach to delivery is also key and retailers wising up to this trend are reaping the rewards," highlights Bruce Fair.

Spring clean your finances

The credit crunch has resulted in a marked increase in searches for savings and investment products and advice of 25% over the last four months, whilst searches for credit cards are down by 26% as people look to live within their means.

If you think back to April last year 0% deals on the leading credit cards were aplenty with the big banks bending over backwards to get you signed up. Well, how the tides have turned; these good deals are now increasingly hard to get your hands on. At present Kelkoo has access to over 200 credit cards offering the same level of financial product data that a consumer would get from an offline IFA at the click of a mouse.

Brits are also increasingly looking to create a financial buffer in anticipation of a rainy day. Kelkoo has seen an 84% increase in people searching for ISAs over the last month alone, as people seek to use their tax free allowance before April 5 th .

Jessica Smith, who is currently saving hard to buy her first home with her boyfriend Pete Hinchcliffe recently used Kelkoo to get a good deal on her ISA. "Having researched the most cost effective way to build up our savings I found out that I only had a matter of weeks to snap up an ISA to put my hard earned cash into. My boyfriend and I spent an evening researching the best deals on Kelkoo. We managed to secure an ISA for 6.00% with The Derbyshire which we just wouldn't have found otherwise," said Jessica.

"The shopping habits of the nation have clearly mirrored the slowing economic environment over the past six months. We have seen Brits look to make smart choices about their purchases; securing the right price coupled with a convenient and reliable delivery service are at the forefront of mind. Now more than ever Kelkoo users are expecting more," comments Bruce Fair, Managing Director, Kelkoo UK.

Kelkoo MD, Bruce Fair's Top Tips for Sharp Shopping

Electronics

•  Do your research; read reviews and check your desired product is right for you. There's no point being up sold a product if you will never use its features.

•  Don't opt for the latest model - the best discounts can be achieved on models that are six months old.

•  Save your precious weekend by getting smaller items delivered directly to the office.

Credit cards

•  Compare initial APR rate, standard APR rate, balance transfer rate and value added benefits (like cashback) and work out your financial priority.

•  Devise a payment plan, even if it means finding a new deal after six months and completing a balance transfer.

•  Remember there's no harm in being a credit tart but make sure you protect your credit rating - sharp shoppers should always seek out the best deals!

Mobile phones

•  Be wary of offers: work out what the tariff will cost you over the life of the phone.

•  Group together your preferred options on Kelkoo and make sure you are measuring like for like.

•  Keep a diary of the types of calls and texts you make, at what time of day and to where. Review this when analysing different tariffs.

Holidays

•  Sharp shoppers research their destination and tour operator and then hold off for a last minute deal.

•  Be flexible about where you go and when you go - package deals often provide the best deals and biggest savings.

•  Watch out for hidden extras - in-flight food, transfer costs, baggage check-in fees.

Kelkoo works closely with the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), which gives certification to e-retails who have met their requirements. This certification, Internet Shopping is Safe (ISIS) can be found next to the search result if the retailer has signed up to the scheme, and provides customers with reassurance should something go wrong.