Shoppers will hit the sales on Christmas Day in an online shopping boom, according to predictions.
Barclaycard research found almost a third (31%) said they would shop online today, more than the 27% who said said they would turn out for the traditional Boxing Day sales.
Of those who will be shopping today, 28% say they will log on in the evening, after the day’s celebrations, 22% will be looking for bargains during quiet periods on the day, but 12% will be online in the morning.
Online spending has grown by 9.1% so far this Christmas, according to Barclaycard, which says it processes nearly half the UK’s credit and debit card transactions. Spending in stores is up by 1.2%.
“The Boxing Day sales have traditionally been the day when we splash our Christmas cash,” said a Barclaycard spokesperson. “However the relentless growth in online shopping, and ever-earlier sales, means that more and more of us are taking to the web on Christmas day to secure the best bargains.”
“It’s been the theme through much of 2013 – we continue to see shoppers keep up their search for value by shifting more of their shopping online, as the phenomenal success of discount days this year, such as Black Friday and Mega Monday, shows.”
On Mega Monday this year, Barclaycard data suggests, 30% of all spending was carried out online.
Last year’s Christmas Day spenders were most likely to buy family clothing, with sales in this category up by 38.2% compared to the same time in the previous year, according to Barclaycard’s figures. Other buoyant categories included department stores, up by 34.5% on last year, cinema, theatre and dance (+34.4%), public transport (+32.9%) and DIY stores (+31%).
On Boxing Day last year, overall spending rose fastest at DIY stores (+48.1%), public transport (+29.8%), furniture stores (+26%), cinema and theatre (+22.8%), and supermarkets (+20.5%).
Online spending went to department stores (+55.9%), women’s clothing (+54.7%), supermarkets (+42%), cinema, theatre and dance (+31.5%), and family clothing (+28.4%).
In-store spending was at DIY stores (+51.9%), public transport (+38.5%), furniture stores (+26.8%), supermarkets (+20.1%) and men’s clothing (+13.2%).
Spending on public transport was particularly high, suggests Barclaycard, as commuters renewed season tickets before January 1 price rises.
