You don’t need a cash counting machine to know that this time of year can be a severe test for even the healthiest of bank accounts. There’s something about Christmas that seems to relieve many of us of our financial senses, sweeping us along on great tidings of comfort and joy all the way through the party season to the January financial hang over. Washed up and spent out.
With new figures revealing that shopaholic Brits are almost £1 million on line EVERY MINUTE and that an estimated £70 billion will be spent this year celebrating Christmas the question arise – Is there anything you can do to stop this crazy Xmas money-go-round, or really, deep down do we love it? Is Christmas and all the excess that comes with it – the eating, drinking, partying and above all else the spending necessary? An important annual blow out, an indulgence that allows us to let off steam and and get through the rest of the year relatively sensibly.
Here are a few Christmas shopping facts and figures you may find of interest:
- The Centre for Retail Research predicts that in the run-up to Christmas, online sales are expected to reach £11.5bn, up £2.6bn on last year, a 28.8% rise. They also estimate that online shopping will account for 17% of all Christmas sales this year.
- 18% of shoppers will do ALL their Christmas shopping online.
- Online sales on Mega Monday – Monday 6th November were 21% higher than same day last year.
- The busiest minute saw £831,000 spent at 13:15 .
- An estimated £6.4bn will be spent online in December.
- Each of us will spend an average of 15 hours and walk an estimated 13 miles searching for gifts on the High Street.
- Want to shop in Debenhams? You’re in luck. From Monday though to Saturdays 60 of their biggest branches are open until 11.
- 88% of us will buy a Christmas tree.
- Over half of all High Street stores will be holding a sale BEFORE Christmas.
- The average amount spent by parents on boys this year will be £153. Girls £143.
- The cost of the average family Christmas dinner is £170.
- According to ING each of us will spend a massive £470 on presents and entertainment this Christmas.
Either way, whether you are one of those who binge shop at at this time of the year or hide away far from the madding high street crowds a Happy Christmas to you!
