Hark the Christmas Cash Registers Ring

Overall, around 50% of British shoppers plan to spend around the same for Christmas 2001 as they did last year, while 17% plan to spend less. Just 14% of us admitted that we are less inclined to spend as much on festive gifts due to current global events.

The research indicates that the average consumer buys gifts for eleven close friends and family at Christmas. The average amount spent is £376, with men spending 11% more than women. A further 30% of consumers will spend £400 or more on close friends and family, while over a fifth of adults are prepared to spend over £500.

The traditional high street is coming under more and more pressure from out-of-town shopping centres, with an estimated 41% of consumers agreeing that the high street does not cater for all their Christmas shopping needs. Men are particularly dissatisfied with the high street (at 45%). 'Extended opening hours, Sunday opening, location and ease of parking are all factors that favour out of town shopping centres' comments Dominique Allport, Mintel retail consultant.

One in five consumers say they will use the Internet when thinking of Christmas presents, with highest usage in the South (at 29%). Men are twice as likely to opt for this means of shopping at 29% compared to just 14% of women. In general, the majority of people are disinterested in all forms of gift buying, with 38% of consumers finding Christmas shopping a chore.

Festive shopping behaviour also shows a lack of loyalty towards retail brands. Almost 60% of consumers browse a lot before buying. By contrast, over 40% admit to leaving their gift purchasing to the last minute. Just under half of all men are likely to leave it to the very last minute, while those on a lower income and the Scottish, shop early for Christmas.

Some 16% of British shoppers go in to debt during the season, and this rises to a quarter of those aged 20 to 24 years old. Men are also more likely to go in to the red than women. Somewhat surprisingly, men are more likely than women to keep some money back for the January sales (at 42%). 'The fact that over 40% of British shoppers plan to keep some money back for the January sales, will come as a great relief to retailers as it has been predicted that the situation in the economy could begin to bite shortly after Christmas 2001' concludes Dominique Allport.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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