Almost half of UK shoppers are waiting two months or more to buy specific items so they can take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, according to research commissioned by PayPal. Spending across the two sales events is expected to reach £6.7 billion this year.
Shoppers delay purchases for discounts
Of the 2,000 Brits surveyed, 48% admitted to postponing a purchase for two months or more to get a deal in the sales. The research indicates that consumers are taking a more strategic approach to festive spending, deliberately holding off on major purchases until the discount events.
Beauty and fragrance products top the wish lists of 44% of shoppers, followed by fashion and trainers (39%) and toys (38%). Christmas decorations are wanted by 30%, while holiday bookings are a priority for 27%. Larger purchases such as mobile phones (22%), laptops or tablets (20%), games consoles (20%) and smartwatches (20%) also feature prominently.
Payment methods and spending plans
Almost half (45%) of Brits say they plan to shop the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year. As households balance festive spending with ongoing cost pressures, many are turning to more flexible payment options like PayPal Pay in 3 and Pay in 30 Days.
Debit cards remain the most popular choice for Black Friday purchases (30%), while 12% plan to use digital wallets such as PayPal. Nearly one in ten (9%) intend to use Buy Now, Pay Later services from any provider.
PayPal's Black Friday Basket
To illustrate the purchases driving spending this year, PayPal has created a 'Black Friday Basket' featuring some of the most popular items shoppers hope to buy. The basket reflects how the event has become a planned opportunity to make Christmas budgets go further.
Dave Jones, Head of UK Consumer at PayPal, said: "Black Friday has increasingly become one of the biggest moments in the festive shopping calendar as people look for ways to make their money go further."
"Payment flexibility is becoming just as important as finding the right deals and some are considering a range of options, including Buy Now, Pay Later, alongside traditional payment methods," he added. "Many shoppers want three things - flexibility, value and control. They're planning ahead and waiting for discounts on the items they want and choosing payment options that fit their budget."
The top 10 categories shoppers hope to buy are beauty or fragrance (44%), fashion or trainers (39%), toys (38%), Christmas decorations (30%), holiday or travel bookings (27%), gaming accessories (25%), headphones or earbuds (23%), mobile phone (22%), other kitchen appliances (22%), and laptop or tablet, games console and smartwatches (all 20%).
