Retailers hoping for Christmas Eve boost
Retailers hoping for Christmas Eve boost
Thursday 24th December 2009
Retailers up and down the country are enjoying Christmas Eve panic-buying as shoppers take to the high-street for last-minute gifts.However, post-Christmas bargains may not be as cheap as last year, according to researchers, as stores take a more cautious approach to discounting in the down-turn.
It is still hoped that before January 1st, the UK retail sector will be boosted by shoppers trying to grab a bargain before the VAT rise, from its current level of 15 per cent, to 17.5 per cent.
And it is also predicted that more than 13.3 million people could head to the shops today, with a survey from Sainsbury's Finance predicting shoppers will spend £951,000-a-minute on Christmas Eve.
The supermarket predicts £1.37 billion will be spent today, with Stuart McKeggie, head of Sainsbury's credit cards commenting: "Once again there looks set to be a stampede of shoppers on Christmas Eve as many people leave their shopping to the last minute before Christmas. However, some people will be put off by the freezing weather conditions.
"In these prudent times, we believe people are looking at ways to stretch their budgets and take advantage of some of the great deals on the high street and in supermarkets particularly."
Related News
Bernie Madoff moved from prison to hospital - 24/12/09
Bernie Madoff, the disgraced Wall Street financier, has been moved to a hospital in prison
Bernie Madoff, the disgraced Wall Street financier, has been moved to a hospital in prison
FTSE 100 rises for fourth consecutive day - 24/12/09
The FTSE 100 rose for a fourth consecutive day in early trading on Thursday, led by gains in the mining sector
The FTSE 100 rose for a fourth consecutive day in early trading on Thursday, led by gains in the mining sector
FTSE 100 continues steady progress - 23/12/09
The FTSE 100 continued the steady gains made all week with another strong performance on Wednesday
The FTSE 100 continued the steady gains made all week with another strong performance on Wednesday
Mortgage lending and consumer saving increase - 23/12/09
Figures released this morning show consumers are paying off more of their debts, while the number of mortgages approved has also risen
Figures released this morning show consumers are paying off more of their debts, while the number of mortgages approved has also risen
Dole numbers to double at Christmas - 23/12/09
The number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole is set to double, the TUC has declared
The number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole is set to double, the TUC has declared
News Article Search
Quick Apply
News Archive