One in four turn to credit cards, BNPL and overdrafts to fund impulse buys

While scrolling online at bedtime has become a nightly routine for many, according to new research from MoneySuperMarket. The research shows that  late-night browsing can have costly consequences, with one in five (22%) spending more than £200 in a single late-night shopping session.

The research found that bedtime browsing is taking a toll on budgets, with more than a quarter (26%) saying late-night purchases have negatively impacted their finances. Meanwhile, around one in seven (15%) say they are more likely to make impulse purchases when shopping during the night. 

As a result, around one in four (24%) are turning to credit cards, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)  schemes or overdrafts to fund purchases made after dark.  For many, late-night shopping also comes with regret, with one in ten (10%) admitting they had either forgotten about or regretted a purchase by the following day.

With smartphones making it easier than ever to browse and buy, combined with tiredness and decision fatigue at the end of the day, resisting temptation can be difficult, particularly when shopping offers an instant dopamine hit. The convenience of round-the-clock online retail is making consumers do just that.

The research suggests that the younger generation are Britain’s biggest bedtime shoppers, with almost half (47%) of 25- 34-year-olds admitting they regularly shop online between 10pm and midnight, compared to 19% of over 55s. 

For others, bedtime browsing continues long after the lights have gone out. In fact, around 45% of 25-34 year-olds said they regularly make purchases online between midnight and 2am, while 40% do so between 2am and 4am. 

With growing concern about the impact of social media on well-being, the research also suggests it is influencing spending habits, with around 1 in 10 (9%) tempted by it.  

That figure doubles among 18–24-year-olds, with 18% saying social media drives their late-night purchases, highlighting the growing influence of social media culture on younger generations’ spending habits.

For others, sleepless nights are a shopping trigger, with one in ten (12%) saying they browse and buy online when they can’t sleep. 

Kara Gammell, Personal Finance Expert at MoneySuperMarket,  said “It’s important to note that shopping online isn’t a problem in itself – in fact, for many people, it has become their primary way to shop. The challenge comes when tiredness and impulse start influencing our decisions. 

“While credit cards and borrowing can be useful financial tools when managed responsibly, the number of people relying on credit cards and Buy Now, Pay Later schemes to fund late-night spending can be a concern for some households. Small habits can quickly spiral out of control, especially if you can’t pay off the full balance at the end of each month.

“The good news is that having a few practical tips up your sleeve when you’re tempted to shop late at night can help keep you in control of your spending and make more mindful decisions –  helping you avoid decisions you might regret the next day.”