Personal finance guru Martin Lewis has revealed a cunning shopping tactic that he says major UK retailers 'hate', urging consumers to use it for last-minute Christmas bargains.
The 'Abandon Basket' Tactic Explained
Appearing on ITV's This Morning with hosts Dermot O'Leary and Christine Lampard, the Money Saving Expert founder detailed the simple but effective strategy. The key, he explained, is to sign up for an account with an online store like Argos, Currys, or Morrisons.
"You go in, you put in the things that you want to buy, and then you don't complete the transaction," said Lewis. He advised shoppers to then walk away and wait, ideally for around 48 hours.
Why Retailers React With Discounts
Dermot O'Leary immediately noted that stores "hate" this practice, with Christine Lampard adding that they often "bombard" customers with follow-up emails. Lewis confirmed this is precisely the point.
"They often email you and say 'you looked at this, would you... like to buy it, here's 10% off to help you complete the transaction. Here's 20% off'," he stated. Lewis cited a survey he conducted last year which found Argos, Currys, Morrisons, and many other prominent chains actively use this practice to recover lost sales.
Time is Running Out for Christmas Shoppers
Lewis emphasised that the week beginning 17 December 2025 is a crucial window to use this trick. As Christmas approaches, the opportunity diminishes because retailers start charging for delivery, which cuts off the incentive.
He shared a success story from a viewer named Chris, who used the tactic with Thornton's Chocolates. "I left my basket and they sent me a 10% code, and the day after they offered me free delivery," the viewer reported.
The advice has been endorsed by viewers on social media. Sylvia commented on Instagram: "Do this all the time. They almost always offer discount couple of days later." Another user named Above said: "I used for Dell laptop and I have been offered 5% the next day."
Martin Lewis's final tip was clear: for those still doing their Christmas shopping online, filling a basket and then abandoning it for a day or two could be the key to unlocking an unexpected discount or free delivery, saving vital pounds in the costly festive season.
