{
  "schemaVersion": "uk-shortlists-buying-friction-index.v1",
  "title": "UK Buying Friction Index 2026",
  "generatedAt": "2026-07-27T18:17:02.395Z",
  "contentSourceCommit": "4484e79ded3f382e252cdeb5aa78bd9382e101d3",
  "generator": {
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "path": "scripts/report/generate-uk-buying-friction-index.mjs",
    "command": "pnpm report:buying-friction-index"
  },
  "license": {
    "id": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
  },
  "persistentIdentifier": null,
  "citation": "UK Shortlists (2026), UK Buying Friction Index 2026. https://ukshortlists.co.uk/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026",
  "scope": {
    "routeCount": 1515,
    "geography": "UK-focused buying decisions and UK travellers",
    "unitOfAnalysis": "one published UK Shortlists buying guide",
    "dataType": "aggregate buying-guide checks"
  },
  "methodology": {
    "includedFields": [
      "avoidIf",
      "dealbreakers",
      "checkBeforeBuying",
      "chooseAnotherRouteIf",
      "howWeChoseFactors",
      "evidenceSummary",
      "alternatives"
    ],
    "classification": "A guide is counted once per friction when one or more declared terms appears in its structured decision fields.",
    "matchingRules": {
      "caseSensitive": false,
      "wordBoundaries": true,
      "stemMarker": "*",
      "stemBehaviour": "A term ending in * matches the declared stem followed by letters or hyphens.",
      "routeDeduplication": "Each guide contributes at most one count to each friction group."
    },
    "frictionDefinitions": [
      {
        "id": "dimensions-fit",
        "label": "Dimensions and physical fit",
        "terms": [
          "dimension*",
          "width",
          "height",
          "depth",
          "clearance",
          "worktop",
          "footprint",
          "measure*"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "compatibility-connections",
        "label": "Compatibility and connections",
        "terms": [
          "compatib*",
          "connector*",
          "connection*",
          "port",
          "network",
          "sim",
          "voltage",
          "mount*",
          "adapter*"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "installation-setup",
        "label": "Installation and setup",
        "terms": [
          "install*",
          "set-up",
          "setup",
          "assembly",
          "plumbing",
          "wiring",
          "configuration",
          "configure*"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "returns-warranty-support",
        "label": "Returns, warranty and support",
        "terms": [
          "return*",
          "warranty",
          "support",
          "repair*",
          "guarantee"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "seller-listing-identity",
        "label": "Seller and listing identity",
        "terms": [
          "seller*",
          "model code",
          "product identity",
          "bundle version*",
          "marketplace seller*"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "ownership-running-costs",
        "label": "Running and ownership costs",
        "terms": [
          "running cost",
          "energy",
          "consumable",
          "subscription",
          "replacement",
          "ongoing cost",
          "ownership cost"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "contract-cancellation-terms",
        "label": "Contract, cancellation and terms",
        "terms": [
          "contract",
          "cancellation",
          "deposit",
          "fees",
          "renewal",
          "provider terms",
          "booking terms"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "cleaning-upkeep",
        "label": "Cleaning and upkeep",
        "terms": [
          "clean*",
          "maintenance",
          "upkeep",
          "descale*",
          "filter replacement"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "delivery-availability",
        "label": "Delivery and availability",
        "terms": [
          "delivery",
          "stock",
          "availability",
          "lead time",
          "dispatch"
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "capacity-use-case",
        "label": "Capacity and use-case fit",
        "terms": [
          "capacity",
          "load",
          "battery life",
          "range",
          "household",
          "buyer need",
          "use case",
          "use-case"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "limitations": [
      "This describes the published UK Shortlists guide collection; it is not a survey of all UK consumers or the whole retail market.",
      "Guide counts indicate recurring decision checks, not prevalence, severity, spending or harm.",
      "Keyword groups are documented and reproducible but do not replace qualitative consumer research.",
      "No personal data, proprietary retailer performance data or unsupported market-wide claim is included."
    ]
  },
  "findings": [
    {
      "id": "returns-warranty-support",
      "label": "Returns, warranty and support",
      "routeCount": 1458,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.9624,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 110
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 99
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 89
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 79
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "pet-supplies",
          "routeCount": 74
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "installation-setup",
      "label": "Installation and setup",
      "routeCount": 1355,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.8944,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 111
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 99
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 92
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 77
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "pet-supplies",
          "routeCount": 74
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "dimensions-fit",
      "label": "Dimensions and physical fit",
      "routeCount": 1265,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.835,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 111
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 98
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 87
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 79
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "pet-supplies",
          "routeCount": 74
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "seller-listing-identity",
      "label": "Seller and listing identity",
      "routeCount": 1218,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.804,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 106
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 99
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 86
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 79
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "pet-supplies",
          "routeCount": 74
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "compatibility-connections",
      "label": "Compatibility and connections",
      "routeCount": 1080,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.7129,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 96
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "portable-power",
          "routeCount": 61
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "kitchen-essentials",
          "routeCount": 59
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 55
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-networking-wifi",
          "routeCount": 55
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "delivery-availability",
      "label": "Delivery and availability",
      "routeCount": 1005,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.6634,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 82
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "kitchen-essentials",
          "routeCount": 62
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 55
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 55
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "portable-power",
          "routeCount": 53
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "cleaning-upkeep",
      "label": "Cleaning and upkeep",
      "routeCount": 992,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.6548,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 91
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "pet-supplies",
          "routeCount": 72
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 66
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 65
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 65
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "capacity-use-case",
      "label": "Capacity and use-case fit",
      "routeCount": 643,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.4244,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "air-fryers",
          "routeCount": 50
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "portable-power",
          "routeCount": 37
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 35
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-security",
          "routeCount": 30
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 29
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "contract-cancellation-terms",
      "label": "Contract, cancellation and terms",
      "routeCount": 283,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.1868,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "garden-outdoor-living",
          "routeCount": 28
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "desk-productivity",
          "routeCount": 26
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "luggage-and-travel-gear",
          "routeCount": 26
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 22
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "consumer-vpn",
          "routeCount": 19
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ownership-running-costs",
      "label": "Running and ownership costs",
      "routeCount": 258,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.1703,
      "topCategories": [
        {
          "categoryId": "home-security",
          "routeCount": 41
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "cleaning-appliances",
          "routeCount": 38
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "portable-power",
          "routeCount": 17
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "robot-vacuums",
          "routeCount": 17
        },
        {
          "categoryId": "home-comfort",
          "routeCount": 16
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "visualAssets": [
    {
      "id": "returns-warranty-support",
      "label": "Returns, warranty and support",
      "routeCount": 1458,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.9624,
      "svgUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/returns-warranty-support.svg",
      "pngUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/returns-warranty-support.png"
    },
    {
      "id": "installation-setup",
      "label": "Installation and setup",
      "routeCount": 1355,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.8944,
      "svgUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/installation-setup.svg",
      "pngUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/installation-setup.png"
    },
    {
      "id": "dimensions-fit",
      "label": "Dimensions and physical fit",
      "routeCount": 1265,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.835,
      "svgUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/dimensions-fit.svg",
      "pngUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/dimensions-fit.png"
    },
    {
      "id": "seller-listing-identity",
      "label": "Seller and listing identity",
      "routeCount": 1218,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.804,
      "svgUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/seller-listing-identity.svg",
      "pngUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/seller-listing-identity.png"
    },
    {
      "id": "compatibility-connections",
      "label": "Compatibility and connections",
      "routeCount": 1080,
      "shareOfRoutes": 0.7129,
      "svgUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/compatibility-connections.svg",
      "pngUrl": "/images/research/uk-buying-friction-index-2026/compatibility-connections.png"
    }
  ]
}