Retailers are hoping for a last-minute dash for the shops this weekend after a lacklustre run-up to Christmas, with UK households forecast to spend £3.4bn, up more than 12% on the same weekend in 2024.
Almost 50m shopping trips will be made by last-minute Father Christmases over the weekend, according to research by analysts GlobalData for Vouchercodes.co.uk, the vast majority of which will be to retail destinations including high streets and shopping malls.
Retailers are hoping for a late rush for presents this year as Christmas Day falls on a Thursday, leaving three days after the weekend when many will take time off to stock up. Super Saturday (20 December) is set to be the busiest day, with 26.5 million people predicted to spend £1.75bn on festive purchases.
Experts said it was likely that consumers had been holding off purchasing their Christmas items until they had a clearer picture of their own finances in light of the budget. A later run also allows more time to save, with many people receiving their monthly pay packet over the next few days.
After a muted Black Friday, shoppers have also been holding out for last-minute bargains in the annual game of chicken with retailers for whom Christmas is a vital part of their year when most – if not all – profits are made.
Retailers are hoping spending will come through after a pre-Christmas interest rate cut from the Bank of England on Thursday, despite low consumer confidence and signs that shoppers have been cutting back.
