Most people spend Christmas Day relaxing with their families and unwrapping their presents. But a frenzy of last-minute shopping activity indicates that many shoppers see Christmas Day as another opportunity to shop for great gifts, this time at prices far below the norm.
New data from Experian indicates that UK shoppers will spend 45 million hours on shopping websites during the December 24-26 period. The data services company believes that over 117 million visits will be made to retail websites, many to make the most of lucrative Christmas and Boxing Day sales.
The surge in Christmas Day shopping has been occurring for years, and experts in retail behaviour believe that the trend shows no sign of stopping this year. Visits to retail websites are forecast to peak at 118 million visits on Boxing Day, with earlier Christmas Day clocking in with 117 million visits.
Shoppers aren’t just doing their last minute Christmas deal-finding online. Experts estimate that 17.5 million people will go shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve, with more than 3 billion visits made to retail websites during December alone. Formerly a relaxing family holiday, Christmas is now an important retail landmark.
The December season is a critical one for retailers, with many shops selling the bulk of their inventory during the festive month. Boxing Day sales, historically a chance for retailers to offload excess inventory at reasonable prices, have now grown into a major attraction for consumers – one that often beats the pre-Christmas season.
Many shoppers report purchasing gifts on Boxing Day, capitalising on discounts and special offers for friends and family members. Due to the closure of many stores on Christmas Day itself, online retailers have taken over as a way for consumers to find great deals without having to fight off crowds or leave their homes.
