Shoppers buy presents locally, secondhand
Christmas shoppers are buying locally and choosing thrift stores, according to a Trade Me survey.
More than half of the 2500 respondents started their Christmas shopping before December this year.
Last week Paymark data showed shoppers spent almost 4 per cent more during Black Friday than last year. Black Friday was also last year’s biggest shopping event, beating Boxing Day.
Most respondents said they were more likely to buy from local businesses than online from an overseas retailer because of Covid19, according to the survey.
Trade Me spokeswoman Ruby Topzand said about 43 per cent were buying second-hand gifts because it was environmentally friendly and cheaper, up slightly from last year.
There had also been an increase in online shopping for Christmas presents, with 41 per cent saying they preferred to shop that way than spending in a store, Topzand said.
But fewer said they would primarily shop for gifts at shopping malls, department stores and outlet shops, she said.
‘‘Much of the increase in online shoppers could be put down to the impacts of Covid. With the lockdowns we’ve experienced people have got used to purchasing their items online.’’
Topzand said that despite Covid-19 shoppers were not planning on cutting back on their budget for each present either.
More than a third said they would spend an average of between $25 and $50 per gift this year, the same as last year, she said.
Half said they gave time and money to charities at Christmas.
Taranaki came out on top as the country’s more generous region, with 64 per cent saying they donated their time or money over Christmas.