Bargain-hungry parents are snapping up deals on their smartphones according to research from flash sales site

Bargain-hungry parents are snapping up deals on their smartphones according to research from flash sales site

More than 80% of mums are shopping online for themselves or their children at least once or twice a month – with 16% doing so once a week or more.

And they are making use of all of today’s technology, including smartphones, tablet computers and even work PCs, to ensure they do not miss out on a bargain.

More than half of the 1000 mums surveyed (52%) by flash sales website Casabu (in association with parent social networking site Mumsnet) always compare prices when they shop online, with 86% admitting they like to “feel they are getting a bargain” when they buy.

Price-conscious shopping search

In these price-conscious times, the research suggests mums are looking to keep their outlay on items such as children’s jeans and T-shirts to the absolute minimum. Some 66% want to spend less than £10 on a T-shirt while 98% would spend less than £20. Almost half (49%) would spend less than £10 on children’s jeans and 94% would pay no more than £20.

Even on their children’s birthday presents, mums are looking to keep costs down with 69% saying they would spend less than £50 and 46% less than £40.

A quarter of mums surveyed (26%) said they had spent between £100 and £200 on items such as clothes, toys and books for their children during the past month, while a further 32% had spent between £50 and £99.

The survey also revealed that 16% of mums shop online once a week or more often for their children or themselves, a further 25% shop once or twice a fortnight and another 40% at least once or twice a month.

Steep mobile commerce growth

Mums are making use of all of the modern technology at their disposal with 94% shopping online from their home PC or laptop, 44% using their smartphone or mobile, 31% using tablet computers and 26% their work PC or laptop.

Some 78% of mums said they would definitely or quite likely buy children’s clothes online in the next month, 76% would treat their child to a new toy, while 69% would buy for a children’s birthday party.

Rachel Oxburgh, chief executive of Casabu, said: “This research confirms that mums are looking for great deals on exciting brands and that they will make use of the full range of technology available to ensure they don’t miss out.

“Flash sales on sites like Casabu will often start at 8am which means mums on the school run might be packing their child’s lunchbox with one hand while snapping up a bargain with their smartphone in their other hand.”