Out on time..as shoppers hit high street
laptops and game consoles have been the big sellers this Christmas.
“But the traditional Christmas gifts of jewel lery, watches, handbags, perfumes and sports gear are still very popular.” David Pierotti, general manager at Silverburn, said: “We’re anticipating being really busy over the whole weekend with people buying last-minute presents – including those who are wor rying their onl ine deliveries won’t make it in time.”
Ryan Manson, general manager at Union Square, said: “Shoppers from many miles around have been visiting in huge numbers. spending f igures were based on analysis by the Centre for Retail Research, who interviewed shoppers across Britain and 80 major retailers.
The group said the weekend capped a record pre- Christmas week with sales of more than £ 630million in Scotland, beating last year’s £595million.
Centre director Professor Joshua Bamfield said: “Saturday is the big day with most people on holiday by then.
“Many shoppers may well have spent everything in one go so it means a lot of money is being spent this weekend.
“Christmas Day will be the best one yet online. It has become a big shopping day and retailers will have reduced prices online by then.
“The amount spent this Christmas Day will reach a billion, significantly more than last year’s £ 895million.”
A million Scottish bargain-hunters – about one in four adults – log on to their computers to shop on Christmas Day. Onl ine spending here on December 25 will rise to £85million – up more than 10 per cent on last year’s figure of £76million.
Researchers polled 2001 people for Virgin Experience Days, who said there had been a shift in consumer spending from physical gifts to “experiences”.
Head of marketing Liam HowardJones said it showed “a desire to spend more time together”.
He said: “It can be an incredibly intense time of year.
“The fact that many people leave buying friends, relatives and partners presents ntil Christmas Day shows how time pressured our lives have become.
“In the world of 24- hour access to work emails and social media, it is easy to waste time that could otherwise be spent together.”