Sorry, not sorry: Online retailers cashing in thanks to America's boozy buying habit

CLARENDON, Va. - It's a phenomenon as old as online shopping - drunk online shopping.

It turns out that Americans spend billions of dollars every year on things they may or may not remember buying the next day. And retailers are taking advantage of the trend.

With the world at our fingertips, shopping online is engrained in our day-to-day activities. So it only stands to reason that two of America's favorite things, sipping and shopping, might one day become one.

"I'm always overspending online shopping after a few cocktails," Stacey Williams told FOX 5 while out near Dupont Circle.

"I definitely couch shop with my glass of wine," added Sara Shaner. "I'm guilty of that."

"I would say I do it often," said Bradley Kirkland, who admitted to boozy buying a couple times a week.

Most remember that they made a purchase, although the details get foggy.

"It's like, 'Oh, I did get three of those shirts in different colors,'" recalled Williams.

The fuller the glass, the fuller the cart.

"Is this going to be aired on TV?" asked Kirkland.

Yes - yes it will.

"The worst has probably been a couple thousand dollars," he added.

"It's terrifying," said Shaner. "Please just don't let that be me!"

Retailers are cashing in, offering up targeted sales after 9 p.m.

"They just seem to pop up at the right time when I may have looked at something five times over the course of a couple weeks," said Williams. "All it takes is that extra cocktail and now it's in my shopping cart and purchased."

Finder.com surveyed 2,000 people and found men and women spent an average of $448 online in 2017 while not exactly of sound mind.

"For me, it's more travel," added Kirkland. "First-class tickets I would not normally personally purchase."

"That's actually a really good idea," admitted Shaner.

After all, maybe that's the only way to get up the courage to check some things off the bucket list?

"Maybe my drunk self should try that out," Shaner said.

For others, it's the feeling of finally buying something well-deserved.

"Expensive rain boots or an expensive coat," explained Williams. "I didn't need them, but I get good use out of them. After that first compliment, you know it was all worth it."

Shaner herself has never made an extravagant or unnecessary drunk purchase online, but her friends have.

"A giant wok that she really couldn't fit in her kitchen," Shaner said. "She must have had the munchies."

With plenty of opportunity for returns, retailers won't see all that profit of course. But some purchases, for one reason or another, will stay with their new owners.

"I'm usually too embarrassed to return it, so I kept it," admitted Kirkland.

"If it feels good, every once in a while treat yourself," said Williams.

FOX 5 found this sloshed shopping trend is leaving retailers and buyers alike in one state of mind: Sorry, not sorry.