Shoppers who had been tempted to try buying their groceries online are returning to supermarkets and high streets where they can check out promotional labels and other offers.

This is the discovery of a new survey carried out by researchers at Kingston University, which noticed that a number of lifestyle triggers had made people sample online food shopping.

These included injuries, the arrival of children or moving to an area cut off from shops and public transport.

However, many went back to the traditional methods after getting fed up with out of stock items being substituted or uncertain delivery times.

The scientists said this phenomenon is very different to when people try buying books and CDs online, which usually results in them not returning to the high street.

Meanwhile, a study called Retail therapy: A strategic effort to improve mood - carried out by Selin Atalay and Margaret Meloy - has found that people who treat themselves by buying things achieve a mental boost without guilt, the Daily Mail reports.

Denny Bros Ltd, 22 June 2011