Online shopping: Kiwi women want lingerie, adult toys and wedding dresses

Kiwis were increasingly opting for the convenience of mobile shopping. Photo / Thinkstock

Intimate lingerie, wedding dresses and adult toys are three of the most popular buys for Kiwi women shopping online, a new survey has revealed.

Commissioned by security software company Trend Micro New Zealand, the survey of 714 adults showed that the 90 per cent of New Zealanders who now shop online are prone to impulsive shopping - putting the thrill of the purchase ahead of caution around handing out credit card details.

This particularly applied to Kiwi women, whom the survey found more susceptible to impulse purchases.

Of these impulse buys, lingerie accounted for 36 per cent of Kiwi women's online shopping, followed by adult toys and wedding dresses at 26 per cent each.

In comparison, only 18 per cent of the women surveyed said they bought their groceries online.

The survey also showed that 57 per cent of New Zealand women ranked tablets as the safest device to shop from, followed closely by iPhones at 53 per cent, further jeopardising internet security.

But Trend Micro's Cyber Safety Expert Aman Chand says online users have to remember that, as mini-computers, tablets and smartphones carry the same risks as computers do.

He also warns that impulsive shopping can bring your guard down, exposing users to identity theft, the loss of personal financial information and exposure to viruses.

"It's endearing that Kiwis are so trusting when it comes to purchasing what many consider sentimental, valuable or highly secret items. While online shopping can offer convenience and anonymity, and comes with immediate gratification and excitement, it also comes with high levels of risk," says Chand.

The survey also revealed that 42 per cent of Kiwi women use money saving websites like Groupon, and are more likely to shop further afield - with 71 per cent making international online purchases.

Chand says international sites should also be treated with caution.

"Cyber criminals thrive on offering attractive bargains to unassuming customers that aren't aware of a fake or malicious site when they see one. If an offer seems too good to be true, if often is."