Ten million bored Brits set for £1billion online shopping spree on Christmas Day
Experts say a record number of buys will be via smartphones
TEN million adults will be getting out of the spirit of Christmas — by blowing nearly £1billion online on December 25.
Experts say a record number of buys will be via smartphones from bored Brits unable to resist going online in six days’ time.
One in five adults will be internet shopping on Sunday — some looking for bargains and others seeking to escape family stress.
Online retailers’ body IMRG say they will spend a Christmas Day record £805million, up more than ten per cent on 2015 and nearly £700million above the 2009 total.
A massive 150million retail website visits are expected, with each buyer spending around £80.
The majority of purchases — 62 per cent — will be via smartphones, a larger share than Black Friday, analysts Criteo said.
Tablets will be used for around 30 per cent, with just a small minority of sales from traditional desktop computers.
Sales are expected to peak around noon — after gifts are opened but before lunch — and then again at around 9pm when the kids are in bed.
Experts say fashion and luxury goods will be big sellers, along with electronic items like TVs and gadgets, and music and movies.
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Prof Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, said: “It will be the biggest ever Christmas Day for shopping – and also the biggest ever for mobile shopping.
“Many retailers start sales online late on Christmas Eve and people want to grab these bargains.
“People also use shopping as an excuse to escape from family stress on the big day.
“And people know more Brexit price rises are expected neat year, so they will spend big now to save. Tech items like TVs will sell well.
“The ease of mobile shopping means so convenient to spend a gift card or buy a sales item using a smartphone or tablet.”
While IMRG managing director Justin Opie said: “Many retailers set post-Christmas sales campaigns live by Christmas Day, so people can browse on smartphones and tablets after digesting the turkey.”