Dublin, March 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Christmas in the UK - 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The "Christmas in the UK - 2018" offers a comprehensive insight into the consumer dynamics and spending habits of consumers for Christmas. The report analyses the market, the major players, the main trends, and consumer attitudes.
Retail spending bounced back in the UK in December 2018 after a tough November. Despite improved spending in December, many retailers started their sales before Christmas to drive revenue and clear through stock - signifying the wider trend in retail. On the other hand, consumers' shift in focus towards more high quality products meant shoppers were more interested in value for money rather than just low prices.
While 35.1% of consumers said they spent more on items for Christmas this year compared to Christmas 2017, this rise in spending was both more carefully planned for some and more heavily credit-financed for others. However, with a higher proportion of shoppers now spending on Christmas using credit options such as a credit card (21.7% financed their spending using a credit card versus 13.6% last year), it is clear that shoppers have had to find ways to spread the cost of the event, rather than necessarily cutting back on little treats and luxuries.
Despite more consumers investing in Christmas - penetration rose 6.4ppts to 91.6%, a higher proportion of gift recipients intend to return or have already returned Christmas gifts. In addition, on average consumers are also returning more items. As this is driven by clothing items that are the wrong size or style, it will be difficult for retailers to reduce the level of returns however clothing brands could implement more generic sizing in key gifting areas. Within other categories, items being frequently returned are products such as small kitchen appliances and toys & games. Retailers should improve product quality or add in more quality assurance checks so that less faulty items are received, in turn lowering returns rates.
Scope
- Despite more consumers investing in Christmas - penetration rose 6.4ppts to 91.6%, a higher proportion of gift recipients intend to return or have already returned Christmas gifts.
- Over one fifth of consumers bought a stocking in 2018, with average spend increasing to 28.72, up from 21.78 last year. As stockings are made up of a selection of smaller items, retailers should ensure they have a selection of low-cost stocking fillers to capture consumer spend on this high-penetration item.
- Free from alternatives are increasing in popularity year-on-year as the quality and availability of products improve - retailers are expanding and enhancing their ranges to cater for a wider variety of diets including vegan , gluten free and dairy free.
Reasons to buy
- Use our in-depth consumer insight to learn which areas within Christmas shopping are most important to ensure that product offerings are catering to the needs and wants of customers.
- Understand what drives consumers to use a retailer for their purchases, such as convenience, value for money and delivery options in order to maximise sales potential.
- Use our in-depth analysis of the leading retailers for Christmas in order to understand how to appeal shoppers and increase market share.
Key Topics Covered:
THE KEY FINDINGS
- The Key Findings
- Quality items are becoming more important for Christmas shoppers
- Fewer consumers funded Christmas purchases using their salary, instead using savings and credit options
- Returns continue to plague the Christmas gifting category
- Trend insight - stores
- Trend insight - online
CONSUMER ATTITUDES
- Key findings
- Buying dynamics
- Financial wellbeing
- Financial spending
- Christmas spending
- Christmas statements
- Retailer selection
- Retailer ratings - grocers
- Retailer ratings - non-food retailers
- Christmas stockings
- Secret Santa
- Christmas returns
- Social media
- Seasonal food and drink
- Key findings
- Retailer selection
- Channel usage
- Device usage
- Fulfilment
- Retailer used
- Retailer selection
- Spending
- Buying dynamics
- Gifts
- Key findings
- Store selection
- Channel usage
- Device usage
- Fulfilment
- Average spend
- Recipient
- Retailer used
- Buying dynamics
- Festive items
- Key findings
- Retailer selection
- Channel usage
- Device usage
- Fulfilment
- Average spend
- Retailer used
- Buying dynamics
- Christmas gift bags
- Christmas advent calendar
- Buying dynamics
- Items for the home
- Key findings
- Retailer selection
- Channel usage
- Device usage
- Fulfilment
- Spending
- Retailer used
- Buying dynamics
- Methodology
- Technical details: consumer survey work
Companies Mentioned
- ASDA
- Homebase
- Marks & Spencer
- Matalan
- New Look
- Accessorize
- Debenhams
- Topshop
- & Other Stories
- Zara Home
- Tiger
- Primark
- River Island
- ASOS
- Tesco
- John Lewis
- Sainsbury's
- Boots
- Morrisons
- Amazon
- Iceland
- Waitrose
- Co-op
- Aldi
- Lidl
- Argos
- Card Factory
- Next
- Superdrug
- Wilko
- Toys R Us
- Smyths Toys
- The Entertainer
- Tesco Direct
- Etsy
- Notonthehighstreet.com
- The Body Shop
- Lush
- Thorntons
- Home Bargains
- B&M
- Waterstones
- The Works
- WH Smith
- Poundland
- Lakeland
- Sports Direct
- JD Sports
- Shoe Zone
- Clarks
- Nike
- HMV
- Apple/iTunes
- CEX
- The Range
- Paperchase
- TK Maxx
- H&M
- Zara
- Pandora
- H. Samuel
- Warren James
- Swarovski
- Goldsmiths
- Beaverbrooks
- GAME
- Dixons Carphone
- Very.co.uk
- AO
- B&Q
- Dobbies
- Adidas
- Footlocker
- Screwfix
- Clintons
- Dunelm
- IKEA
- Richer Sounds
- DFS
- Oak Furniture Land
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m3pm2z/united_kingdom?w=12
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