POUND NOTES
BOOST: Higher financial confidence could boost spending this Christmas ■ Consumer confidence has bounced back despite the ongoing cost-of-living concerns as consumers look set to enjoy the festive season.
Market research firm GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index rose by six points in November, although it still languishes at minus 24.
Confidence in the general economy over the next 12 months also increased by six points to minus 26, which is 32 points higher than a year ago.
GfK client strategy director Joe Staton said: “Consumer confidence strengthened in November with improvements across all measures.
“Although the overall score is still tracking firmly in negative territory, it is good to see that consumers are more optimistic about their personal financial situation. This shows people are thinking about their future with increased confidence and willingness to look beyond the short term.
“Despite the acute cost-ofliving pressures, many would still like to loosen their purse strings just a little so they can enjoy that feelgood factor we all associate with the festive season.”
■ ‘Giving Trees’ are returning to Waitrose and John Lewis shops this festive season, helping to raise donations for the
John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme.
Customers can pick up a gift tag from the tree and take it to the checkout, where they can directly donate the amount they’d like to give.
Donation tags range from £2 to £25, with donations split between the Partnership’s Building Happier Futures charity partners – Action for Children, Who Cares? Scotland and HomeStart UK.
Last year £600,000 was donated by generous customers, contributing towards the programme’s target of £1.1million.
Customers can also donate online at johnlewis.com and at Waitrose.com
Discounter Aldi has beaten more expensive supermarkets to be named ‘Best Place to do your Christmas shop’.
The retailer topped a survey of nearly 10,000 Which? members, who were asked to rate the taste, quality and value for money of the Christmas food they bought, how satisfied they were and whether they would recommend it to others.
With 11 categories in question,om turkey crowns to fresh vegetables, shoppers gave Aldi an average score of 84% overall when asked what is the ‘Best place to do your Christmas shop?’
Shoppers were asked to rate supermarkets ’festive food