eBay UK studied sales made on its site and found that shoppers from "wealthy" neighborhoods have increased their clothing purchases on eBay, while the "very richest" people have not. The study analyzed the number of people using the site who live in post codes that have some of the most expensive houses in the UK to draw its conclusions. According to the press release:

Purchases of top quality clothing on the site from areas where the very richest people live - Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Chelsea - have remained relatively unchanged since the recession started two years ago. This suggests that the shopping habits of those who measure their wealth in hundreds of millions of pounds has remained relatively unchanged by the economic downturn. They still continue to buy directly from the big names in designer wear. However, the picture changes significantly in the next tier down, in areas where people have previously measured their wealth in mere millions.

The study was clearly a pitch at the media to write about eBay Outlet shops, which sells designer brands at discounted prices.

Ruth Szyszkowski, spokesperson for the eBay Outlet, was quoted in Thursday's press release, "Our figures suggest that the only people in Britain to remain unaffected by the recession are the billionaires. Everyone else, including mere millionaires, is having to find new ways to continue to look fashionable for a fraction of the cost."

eBay UK then spilled the beans, revealing which wealthy neighborhoods in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland showed the greatest increase in the eBay Outlet activity:

Clapham, SW4 : up 339 per cent. Homes costs up to £2.2 million.

Leeds, LS17 : up 327 per cent. Homes cost up to £1.5 million.

Fulham, SW6 : up 233 per cent. Homes cost up to £4.9 million.

Hampstead, NW3 : up 233 per cent. Homes cost up to £11million.

Putney, SW 15 : up 205 per cent. Homes cost up to £4.9 million.

Cardiff, CF23 : up 193 per cent. Homes cost up to £1.7 million

Belfast, BT9 : up 182 per cent. Homes cost up to £1.4 million.

Morpeth, NE 65 : up 136 per cent. Homes cost up to £1.6 million.

Alderley Edge, SK9 : up 129 per cent. Homes cost up to £3 million.

Edinburgh, EH14 : up 110 per cent. Homes cost up to £2.3 million.

Kensington, SW7 : 9 per cent. Homes cost up to £37 million.

Knightsbridge, SW1 : No increase. Homes cost up to £47 million.

Belgravia. SW1: No increase. Homes cost up to £140 million.