London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – The recent global financial crisis and recession failed to stop at least seven million Britons from swiping their credit cards. According to a report by comparison website uSwitch, the seven million shopping addicts are divided into four million females and three million males.

Millions Of Brits Are Shopping Addicts

Together, they charged $36 billion (24 billion pounds) on their credit cards during the economic downturn.

While the women shoppers outnumber the men by one million, the males made up for it by charging more than the female shoppers.

The average amount male shoppers charged to their card was $855 (570 pounds), while those of women was only $450 (300 pounds).

Male consumers, who are apparently catching up on women’s love for shopping, have also entered into a territory used to be dominated by women. According to uSwitch, the bulk of credit card purchases made by men was on grooming.

For skin care and cosmetics alone, the male shoppers spent an average of $507 (338 pounds), versus $286.50 (191 pounds) only for the women.

The gender divide was also felt in shopping for films, technology and computer games since males spent an average of $579 (386 pounds) for those items, while women spent only $279 (186 pounds) for the same goods.

Anne Robinson, head of consumer policy for uSwitch, explained the higher male spending on grooming to good looks and appearance helping men job applicants stand out at job interviews and eventually get employed.

Robinson, however, cautioned British consumers from excessive shopping, especially if buy items on credit because their short-term debt, if not managed properly, may eventually grow too large and become long-term debt.