But store staff heavily indebted
Nearly a quarter of Britons seek stress relief on the high street despite mounting debts, according to a report by industry charity Retail Trust.

The report found that 18- to 24-year-olds are the most likely to shop in order to reduce stress levels. Overall, the Welsh ranked the highest in terms of stress-reducing shopping, beating London and the West Midlands. Retailers shop the most simply for enjoyment.

However, the study revealed that retail and service workers are the most in debt, with 8 per cent admitting to owing 71 per cent or more of their annual income. But for supermarket workers it is even higher, with 10 per cent owing more than 100 per cent of their income in personal debt.

Retail Trust chief executive Nigel Rothband said: '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.'

According to the report, 14 per cent of men and 22 per cent of women are taking advantage of earlier opening times to head to the shops. The charity said: 'As our days lengthen, because of increasing workloads and demands at home, it appears there is a strong move towards shopping becoming an early morning activity across the country.'