Partner Article

UK shoppers overspend at Christmas

One in three consumers confessed to blowing their Christmas shopping budgets in 2009, dashing their good intentions for a frugal celebration, according to a survey by international consumer research specialist Intersperience.

The survey, which looked at the shopping habits and attitudes of UK consumers, found that 33% of people who had intended to stick to a spending limit for Christmas gifts failed to do so. Food and drink proved a major indulgence, with 27% exceeding their pre-set budget for festive fare.

Intersperience questioned shoppers on their spending intentions before Christmas and afterwards to discover whether they had stuck to their plans.

The survey showed that fewer consumers spent money online than they had anticipated over Christmas, influenced by strong concerns over stock shortages and delivery delays. In fact, half of respondents reported delivery or stock availability problems with internet orders.

The survey also found that the older age group were keenest on online shopping and reported higher use, higher spend, greater motivation and fewer problems with shopping online this Christmas than younger people.

The survey found that internet shopping is still regarded as cheaper than the high street - but the high street offered better value than people had expected.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .