Boxing Day bargain hunters have been spotted forming massive queues across UK high streets early today.
Large groups of shoppers have been seen gathering outside stores including Lush, JD Sports and Sports Direct, in the hopes of nabbing a post-Christmas deal. It comes despite more major retailers including Next, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis announcing their stores will remain closed on Boxing Day.
Aldi also announced its stores will be closed on Boxing Day, along with Home Bargains, Iceland, The Range and DIY chain Wickes. Most retailers will reopen their physical branches tomorrow (December 27) with their Boxing Day sales running online now instead.
Despite this, new research predicts shoppers will spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, with the majority of purchases made online. A total of £4.6billion will be spent, a study by Barclays Consumer Spend researchers found.
Those that want to visit shops in person, do so because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations. The researchers found a 7% rise in people planning to buy kitchen items such as kettles, air fryers and blenders this year.
The number of people planning on buying groceries increased by 5%. Nearly half of respondents said the cost of living crisis remains a worry for their finances, but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.
“Boxing Day continues to be a crucial time for the retail sector, and the renewed interest in in-store shopping, alongside the enduring resilience of online platforms, demonstrates a more balanced and adaptive approach from consumers, which we hope will continue into the new year.”
A third of respondents are expecting to save money by shopping on reselling websites as people post their unwanted gifts. Barclays said: “Half (48%) of those are doing so because they think they will be able to bag a bargain from people’s unwanted Christmas gifts, while over a third (36%) say the cost of living means they will be buying more second-hand items than usual, in a bid to make their money go further.”
Men expect to spend £53 more than women on average, and overall shoppers are predicting they will spend £18 less per person than in last year’s sales.
