Rockin' around the Christmas shops
Three quarters of British people (75%) expect to spend the same amount or more on Christmas presents this festive season, than they did last year, according to a new survey by Ipsos. However, one in five (19%) will be cutting back in this area this year. Despite the economic and fiscal outlook, with HM Treasury’s recent economic forecast predicting a 1.3% growth in GDP with a 2.2% rise in inflation, the majority of those surveyed expected to spend the same or more this year on food (76%), drinks (69%) and cards, decorations and wrapping paper (76%). There may yet be a boost for retailers, with three in five people (62%) admitting they finish most of their Christmas shopping in the two weeks before Christmas – including 34% who will only be finishing up their shopping this week. However, the outlook may not be quite so positive for retailers hoping for to get 2013 off to a good start, with only 13% of those surveyed planning to spend more money on the post-Christmas sales this year than they did last year.
This year half of those surveyed (51%) had purchased at least some of their Christmas gifts online this year, while only 34% of British people had not bought any gifts online.
Deputy Managing Director at Ipsos ASI, Keith Glasspoole, said:
“In spite of gloomy consumer confidence and the recession continuing to hang over our heads like the sword of Damocles, people aren't deterred from splashing out on an enjoyable Christmas with family and friends like they were in 2009. So they have become more de-sensitized to economic depression or determined not to let it dampen Britain's favourite holiday.”
Technical Note
