Slovaks Increasingly Buying in Instalments from Online Stores

Bratislava, January 28 (TASR) - Data from Home Credit shows that the trend of buying in instalments is also becoming common for online stores in Slovakia, with customers taking advantage of sales and various discounts, TASR learnt on Tuesday. Slovaks are using this method mainly to buy TVs, mobile phones, fridges and washing machines, but also furniture and sports equipment. On average, they spend €430 per purchase, while customers in the Czech Republic spend €90 more. "Most people buy in instalments first and foremost electronics - TV sets, DVDs but also mobile phones with accessories, computers and laptops. White goods, dominated by fridges and washing machines, come next. Then there is furniture, sports equipment, and household and garden accessories. Many people also buy various goods under a single order, and Slovaks spend an average of €430 on each such instalment purchase," said Monika Richterova of Home Credit. According to her, the fact that Slovaks as well as Czechs like this kind of purchase is also shown in that instalment sales in Slovakia in the pre-Christmas period accounted for up to 30 percent of annual sales. In the Czech Republic the figure was even 6 percent higher. am/df