Yahoo Finance UK Christmas shoppers to spend £873m on stocking fillers
Brits are set to spend £873m ($1.16bn) on Christmas stocking fillers this year, research suggests.
Over a third (37%) of Brits are planning to buy stocking fillers for loved ones this year, with the average spend coming to £45, according to a survey of 2,000 UK adults by American Express.
This equates to £873m spent across the nation on these traditional festive gifts.
Those planning to adorn mantelpieces and bed posts with stockings will gift an average of four stockings each, the survey found.
Nearly three in five (57%) people will buy a stocking for their children, over a third (35%) for a partner and a fifth for a parent.
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Brits said the top five stocking fillers they plan to buy for children are chocolate coins, soft toys, games, socks, and books or magazines.
Meanwhile, chocolates, other food and drink items, perfume or aftershave, socks, and beauty products or toiletries are this year's top five stocking fillers for adults.
In the spirit of community, nearly a third (32%) will buy their stocking fillers from local independent stores, with over a half (54%) saying it’s because they want to support these shops in this challenging year.
Nearly two in five (37%) want to find gifts people won’t have seen elsewhere, and nearly a third (32%) enjoy browsing for inspiration.
The research also found over a quarter (26%) of shoppers will give a stocking for the first time this year.
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It appears this gift appeals to the savvy consumer, with one in five choosing stockings because they can give smaller, lower cost presents to more people.
Nearly half of shoppers (46%) choose stockings because they are a “traditional gift,” whereas 29% enjoy the “feel good” factor of giving.
“Up and down the country, people love picking the perfect stocking fillers to surprise their family,” said finance and business expert Jasmine Birtles.
“A lot of thought goes into choosing gifts, but it’s also an ideal time to think carefully about where and how we spend — you can find really great gifts in local independent stores, and this year it’s more important than ever we support them.
“Coupled with savvy spending, making the most of offers and rewards available, you have the perfect combination for successful shopping.”
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