A study from Walker Sands has found that consumers are less cautious about splashing out on expensive bulky items online.

This suggests that there is a growing level of trust in e-commerce sites to provide both secure shopping experiences on the web as well as reliable, efficient home shipping solutions to make sure larger products arrive unscathed.

46 per cent of those questioned in the report said that they have become more willing to research and purchase high-value items, including vehicles and electronics, using the web over the past 12 months. Millennials aged between 26 and 35 were the most attuned to this trend, with 56 per cent of people in this category saying that they were more confident in making big-ticket purchases online than ever before.

Part of the reason for this trend is due to the fact that social media is playing a part in shaping shopping habits. People are more willing to part ways with a lot of cash if they have seen a product recommended by one of their friends or the people they follow.

A third of respondents said that they have looked up potential furniture purchases in the last year, with a similar proportion admitting that their browsing had brought them to check out new vehicle options.

Those aged between 46 and 60 were the least likely to have changed their opinion on making big-ticket purchases online, although even here there was a 42 per cent increase in interest. Meanwhile, 61 per cent of the over-61s said they were more interested in exploring this as an option.

Trust is key to online sales growth, and it seems that in certain circumstances, retailers are doing a good job of making sure that their reputations are upheld.