We've all done it: shopping for the sake of feeling better, making a seemingly harmless purchase of products we don't really need. Retail Trust, the national charity for the retail commissioned a survey to identify the nation's shopping habits and key motivating factors behind the UK's favourite past time, according to The Retail Bulletin. Findings revealed nearly a quarter of the country seek stress relief from shopping, and 40% of 18-24 year olds are the most likely to shop in order to reduce their stress levels than any other age group.

People working in service industries are almost twice as likely to buy to alleviate stress than any other profession. And individuals living in Wales ranked the highest beating London and the West Midlands . The remainder of respondents shopped for pure enjoyment and retailers came out top of this category despite the fact they are working in the environment nine to five. As our days lengthen due to increasing work loads and demands at home it appears there is a strong move towards shopping becoming an early morning activity across the country. Apart from the obvious shopping sprees at the weekend, 14% of men and 22% of women are taking advantage of earlier opening times to get to the shops.

Results also identified that men are more likely to be in debt than women, with 32% of them owing up to 20% of their income. People living in the West Midlands and the North East appeared to have the highest levels of personal debt, compared to Yorkshire and the North West , which registered at the lower end of the scale.

Retail Trust's chief executive, Nigel Rothband, commented: "It is estimated that an astonishing one in five people in Britain work in the retail industry and the survey results reinforce the fact that there are a large number of people in need of help and advice. We have been operating as a charity for 175 years and have helped thousands of people either during their careers or in retirement to ensure the pressures of every day life are made easier.

The Retail Trust's mission is to support those working in, or retired from, the retail industry when they or their families need care or assistance.