Britons are anticipated to shell out a complete of £4.6 billion within the Boxing Day gross sales this yr, with the common shopper forecast to spend £236, new analysis from Barclays reveals.
Though that determine is marginally decrease than in 2023, when £4.7 billion was spent, it nonetheless factors to a sturdy urge for food for offers regardless of ongoing cost-of-living considerations.
The projected outlay per particular person has slipped by £18 in contrast with final yr, but consumers are set to half with £50 greater than they did in 2019, earlier than the pandemic. Researchers word that whereas a few of the enhance is attributable to inflation, it additionally displays a seamless want amongst shoppers to hunt worth for cash in the course of the post-Christmas interval.
Spending patterns seem to favour males, who’re set to outspend girls by £53. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays Financial institution, mentioned it was “encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales”, regardless of mounting monetary pressures.
“We’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability this year,” she mentioned. “Many shoppers will be on the lookout for bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.”
Certainly, air fryers and related kitchen devices have surged in recognition, with year-on-year gross sales up by 7 per cent. Barclays attributes this to a concentrate on “functional finds” and efforts to save lots of on big-ticket objects that may ordinarily be out of attain for a lot of consumers.
The analysis additionally suggests a cautious temper: practically 1 / 4 of shoppers will solely purchase what they deem important within the gross sales. But some consumers are nonetheless eager to benefit from the in-store expertise. Greater than 1 / 4 of the general public plan to hit the retailers in particular person — up from 15 per cent in 2023 — pushed by a want for social interplay, the flexibility to the touch and really feel merchandise earlier than shopping for, and the standard thrill of high-street buying.
“Boxing Day feels extra special this year,” mentioned shopper Gabrielle Kirkham, who will likely be returning to the excessive avenue for the primary time because the pandemic. “I’m planning to pick up discounted clothing and skincare. It’s much easier to try on clothes in person, which can be more challenging online.”
Though some bricks-and-mortar retailers are selecting to stay closed on Boxing Day, those who open will doubtless see a lift. 1 / 4 of individuals planning to buy within the gross sales say they’ll spend most of their cash in bodily shops. Many cited the flexibility to see objects first-hand and the enjoyment of socialising whereas buying as key causes.
Excessive streets and buying centres stay prime locations, with round a 3rd of British shoppers planning to go to them. Supporting native companies can be an element, with 17 per cent aiming to again their native excessive avenue and 15 per cent intending to buy with unbiased retailers.
On-line channels, nonetheless, are set to seize the lion’s share of post-Christmas spending. Barclays forecasts that 65 per cent of Boxing Day purchases will likely be made on-line, barely up on final yr’s 64 per cent. Nonetheless, retailers hoping to coax extra individuals onto the excessive avenue may take into account in-store-only gives: round a 3rd of consumers say they’d be swayed by low cost codes that may solely be redeemed in particular person, whereas 27 per cent could be enticed by a free present with in-store purchases.
