Shopping has certainly changed in the last few years – from taking a trip outside to taking a few steps down the hall to the study.

More and more people are now spending their hard-earned cash at the press of a button from the comfort of their own home

While the experience is very different to that feeling of arriving home laden with bags it is taking off in a big way.

“I think that most people would agree with me that shopping is one of the pleasures of life,” smiles Patricia Davidson, author of The Shopaholics Guide To Buying Online.

“But the days when you used to have to trek out to the shops are now well past – just about everything is available online.

“In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of websites just waiting for you to buy from and there’s the first problem – just how much time do you have to spend searching?”

Luckily for us, there is a much easier way than trawling through the thousands of options that your favourite search engine throws up – all you have to do is consult Davidson’s guide to all the hidden gems that the internet has to offer.

Top buys on the internet include the following:

Shoes

“Like handbags, shoes say a lot about you – you need the right ones for you, for fashion, for what you’re wearing, where you’re going and the time of year.”

www.dune.co.uk

Here you can buy from a range of trendy, affordable and stylish shoes and accessories including glitzy sandals, dressy pumps and flats, modern casual shoes and ballerinas, and excellent boots.

www.espadrillesetc.com

Whether or not you’re an espadrilles fan, if you’re going on holiday you really should take a look at this summer shoe website.

www.sand-monkey.com

If you fancy a change from run-of-the-mill synthetic flip-flops you should take a look at this collection of leather sandals. Originally designed on a luxury safari camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara, these gorgeous shoes come complete with cute, stylish and funky finishes including beads and shells.

Baby and toddler clothes

www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk

Blooming marvellous offer everything for the newborn baby, including sets of sleepsuits and vests in pink or blue, pointelle blankets, bootees and padded outdoor suits.

www.gagagoogoo.co.uk

These are a range of baby and toddler t-shirts up to two-years and packs of bibs with famous and witty sayings such as ‘Go ahead and make my day’ (Clint Eastwood), ‘Here’s looking at you, kid’ (Humphrey Bogart), and ‘I have nothing to declare but my genius’ (Oscar Wilde).

www.ollipops.com

The home of really cute baby soft shoes by Starchild and Bobux, enchanting bibs (before they’ve eaten!), and a selection of Hopscotch dressing up outfits and hats.

Gourmet and organic food

“Handmade game pie, damson gin, soupe de poissons, black truffle flavoured olive oil, and Belgian butter waffles!”

www.deliinthenook.co.uk

Based in Leicester, The Deli In The Nook stocks a superb range of antipasta, olives, infused oils and vinegars, balsamics, and extra virgin olive oils, pate, pasta, tins and jars of authentic Italian and French produce, handmade chocs, biscuits, chutneys, salsas and sauces, preserves, nibbles, goodies and lots more.

www.formanandfield.com

This is a luxury delicatessen specialising in traditional British produce from small independent producers, including luxury cakes and puddings, smoked salmon, award-winning homemade fish pates and pies.

www.stickytoffeepudding.net

At a time when websites are trying to offer you everything and more, the world-famous Cartmel Village Shop only offers one product – its mouth-watering Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Gorgeous gifts

www.serendipbeauty.com

www.bombayduck.co.uk

This is a very pretty home gifts and interiors website with a wide range of ideas from their own beautifully packaged candles and candy-coloured leather accessories, crystal glass chandeliers, vintage style bathroom accessories and printed cushions.

By Tracey O’Sullivan