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New tablets help Britons go on Christmas Day online shopping spree New tablets help Britons go on Christmas Day online shopping spree
(about 4 hours later)
Shoppers are set to spend £636m online on Christmas Day when 8 million people will be distracted from turkey and TV by bargain-hunting on their smartphones and tablets.Shoppers are set to spend £636m online on Christmas Day when 8 million people will be distracted from turkey and TV by bargain-hunting on their smartphones and tablets.
As an increasing number of retailers begin their end of year sales online on Christmas Eve, shoppers are expected to spend 25% more than last year on Christmas Day with most logging on at midday according to online retailing body imrg and research firm Experian.As an increasing number of retailers begin their end of year sales online on Christmas Eve, shoppers are expected to spend 25% more than last year on Christmas Day with most logging on at midday according to online retailing body imrg and research firm Experian.
Christmas Day shopping has become increasingly popular over the past few years with more than half of consumers expected to log on to at least browse, according to card provider Barclaycard. Christmas Day shopping has become increasingly popular over the past few years with more than half of consumers expected to log on to at least browse, according to card provider Barclaycard .
Growth is being driven by a rise in the popularity of tablet computers, which make shopping from the sofa an attractive pastime, while the likes of Marks & Spencer, Boots and Currys all start their sales online on Christmas Eve and Amazon launches its post-Christmas discounts just after the Queen’s speech at 4pm.Growth is being driven by a rise in the popularity of tablet computers, which make shopping from the sofa an attractive pastime, while the likes of Marks & Spencer, Boots and Currys all start their sales online on Christmas Eve and Amazon launches its post-Christmas discounts just after the Queen’s speech at 4pm.
Last year Christmas Day sales were up 22% on the year before, according to Barclaycard, following a 32% rise in 2012. The card provider says household goods – from electricals and appliances to furniture and DIY tools – saw the highest level of growth but sales of clothing and holidays also rose strongly.Last year Christmas Day sales were up 22% on the year before, according to Barclaycard, following a 32% rise in 2012. The card provider says household goods – from electricals and appliances to furniture and DIY tools – saw the highest level of growth but sales of clothing and holidays also rose strongly.
“The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself,” said Giles Longhurst, general manager of consumer insight at Experian marketing services.“The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself,” said Giles Longhurst, general manager of consumer insight at Experian marketing services.
The rise in Christmas Day spending is part of a gradual change in shopping habits which is making the Boxing Day sales less of a retail event. The annual discount day is expected to be less valuable to retailers than Black Friday, the recent US import, when an estimated £810m was spent online alone according to Experian and imrg.The rise in Christmas Day spending is part of a gradual change in shopping habits which is making the Boxing Day sales less of a retail event. The annual discount day is expected to be less valuable to retailers than Black Friday, the recent US import, when an estimated £810m was spent online alone according to Experian and imrg.
Clothing bargains are expected to be plentiful this year after a warm autumn and winter which has left retailers with piles of unwanted knitwear and coats. Last week, three out of four top high street stores began offering discounts averaging 45%.Clothing bargains are expected to be plentiful this year after a warm autumn and winter which has left retailers with piles of unwanted knitwear and coats. Last week, three out of four top high street stores began offering discounts averaging 45%.