Many more Britons are happy to haggle before parting with cash as a result of the downturn, according to new research published today.
According to the report 61 per cent of Britons have bartered within the past six months, giving the lie to the idea that haggling is a taboo on the High Street. The use of discount vouchers and codes is even more widespread, with 91 per cent having used these within the past year.
Men appear to be happier to barter, with 71 per cent claiming to have done so compared to 56 per cent of women. Meanwhile a North-South divide is evident, with 67 per cent of Londoners stating that they would be happy to haggle - but 45 per cent of Aberdeen-dwellers saying they would never barter.
The report, published by price comparison survey MoneySupermarket, has important implications for retailers. Gone, at least temporarily, are the days of compliant customers happy to accept the price on the tag. Retailers are being forced to hone their negotiation skills in order to secure sales.
