LEEDS, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies with vouchers and discounts on voucher code sites such as VoucherSeeker.co.uk are more equipped to deal with the recession.

"Discount vouchers and voucher codes are an effective marketing tool, and are quickly becoming a staple diet of shoppers," states Ed Hall, Director at VoucherSeeker. No longer a coupon in the newspaper to cut out, the voucher code industry continues to grow. Searches on the term "Voucher Codes" is up more than a quarter according to data from leading online intelligence service Hitwise. (The weekly search term share of all UK search traffic. Comparison of week ending 04/07/09 with 05/07/08).

As a growing proportion of the UK population has ready access to broadband speed internet, they are better placed than ever before to access and reap the benefits of voucher code sites. Recent research by the e-tailing group on shopping cart abandonment has shown that 27% of consumers in the USA study left a purchase at the checkout in order to find discount codes for the product elsewhere, highlighting that their use is no longer a trivial matter. Indeed a recent survey highlighted that a high 40% of diners in the UK use restaurant vouchers. Even more revealing is the statistic offered by the study that 1 in 4 people said they would only visit restaurants that supplied vouchers.

As shoppers search for more ways to save money, their attention is quickly turning to online discount code sites. According to research by KPMG/ Synovate Retail Think Tank, recession hit consumers are learning new behaviours, changing the way they shop and how they decide what to shop for, and these new behaviours are set to become permanent. Changes in shopping behaviour include choosing to shop at charity shops and being prepared to search and compare products and prices in order to get a better deal.

In short, consumers are becoming more empowered and proactive in seeking discounts.

Shops which have a good voucher code presence on sites such as VoucherSeeker (http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk/) are equipped to deal with the economic downturn, as customers specifically search out these discounts.

The recession is ensuring many high streets are left empty and abandoned as retailers struggle to maintain consumer interest. Recent research by Experian has suggested that up to 100 shops a day could close as a result of the recession, amounting to 35,000 shops a year closing due to difficult trading conditions. Examples of household names affected of late include Debenhams announcing a share issue to raise GBP323 million in order to reduce its GBP972 million of bad debts, whilst famous toy shop Hamleys is beginning a period of restructuring management staff to cut costs. Added to this list are the retailers which have already gone into administration such as Coffee Republic in the last week, Setanta Sports, MFI and of course Woolworths.

The difficult trading conditions were first highlighted at Christmas, a time crucial to retail outlets survival. Online sales flourished, whilst high street stores were left behind, resulting in introducing strong measures to ensure customers spent money. Bringing sales forward and offering bigger discounts early did little to help the seasonal lack lustre. This has continued throughout the year, with marketing ploys such as pedestrianising Oxford Street and hosting fashion shows in a desperate bid to get consumers to part with their money.

As such, highly respected brands are getting involved in the voucher code success story. Vodafone promotional codes and Currys discount codes are actively being sought by increasingly internet-savy consumers, and they are not left wanting. These, along with Littlewoods discount codes, and other well know corporate names are currently on the VoucherSeeker (http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk/) site. Not all big brands are featured however: there is no Orange promotional code for example, though two offers are listed. However the inclusion of Comet discount codes and Dixons discount codes on the site serves to highlight just how ingrained deals now are in UK retail.

Retail outlets are becoming all too aware that discount vouchers and promotional codes are becoming a necessity rather than an add-on to ensure their survival in the current economic downturn. As consumers become more aware of product prices and where they can find products for less, the shape of the high street and the shops which make it up will inevitably continue to change both offline and on.

About VoucherSeeker

http://www.voucherseeker.co.uk is a leading UK voucher codes website. It features all the latest vouchers, voucher codes and discount codes from a wide range of shops and top brands. Users can use the site to find the latest discount vouchers and promotional codes to save money on many products and services. VoucherSeeker also provides its users with details of all the latest sales and promotions.

VoucherSeeker(TM) and ClickAngel(R) are trademarks of ClickAngel Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact Deborah Read at VoucherSeeker: email: deborah.read@clickangel.co.uk direct line: +44-113-380-0891.

SOURCE VoucherSeeker (www.voucherseeker.co.uk)

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