The Mileage Company
The UK experts in designing, developing and managing reward & loyalty schemes
Press releases
Good news for the high street as Brits plan to spend big and savvy this Christmas
December 2009 - Brits are planning to spend a massive £10.5 billion* plus on their Christmas presents alone this year, that's an average of almost £300 each. A further one in ten (10%) of us are predicting it'll be more like £500, reveals new research** from Airmiles, the UK's leading travel rewards scheme.
Interestingly, the continuing recession doesn't mean everyone will be tightening their festive purse strings, as while a third (34%) admit their expenditure will be less than last year's, over half (53%) are happy to treat their loved ones as they did in 2008.
Whether purchasing presents, food and drink or household items, 57% of shoppers are planning to be savvy spenders by collecting loyalty scheme rewards along the way. With total Christmas spending amounting to over £450, consumers could collect 365 Airmiles*** – that's almost half way to a free flight, Eurostar journey or a free family attraction like London Zoo and Madame Tussauds.
With almost £300 going on gifts this year, the rest of the average spending breaks down as follows: nearly £120 spent on food and drinks and just over £50 spent on big ticket items for the home such as furniture, kitchen equipment or electrical items.
Financial expert and editor of the consumer finance website CashQuestions.com, Annie Shaw, comments: "It's good news that more than half those surveyed feel confident enough this Christmas to spend as much on their families and friends as last year and that many of those who need to cut back are going to do it by shopping smartly, rather than being less generous or not enjoying themselves.
"Savvy shopping means making the most of spending and that includes collecting loyalty rewards. If you are buying a lot of presents or festive goodies, you can collect a lot of rewards in a short space of time and then use them for an extra special treat for yourself like a free flight or family day out."
Fred Prego from Airmiles says: "In these tough times everyone needs to make their money work harder, and get something back with every penny spent. You can easily collect Airmiles on your Christmas present shopping via the 200 retailers on our online eStore, which is good news for the 66% of people who are planning to avoid the high street rush and shop online. Even shopping for your Christmas roast dinner will help to get you on your way to a free flight, Eurostar journey or special day out at the UK's top attractions."
For one in five shoppers who plan to get their presents online is to collect rewards.
Airmiles can be collected with the Lloyds TSB Airmiles Duo Credit Card account, as well as through supermarket shopping at Tesco and exchanging clubcard vouchers, or through the hundreds of big brand retailers on Airmiles' eStore (www.airmiles.co.uk/estore). This is good news for the 66% of shoppers who are planning to avoid the high street rush and get their presents online.
-- Ends --
Notes to Editors:
* Calculated as £291.37 x 36,471,400 (the total number of UK adults aged between 18-65).
** 3,000 respondents surveyed by One Poll between 21.10.09-26.10.09, aged between 18-65.
*** Based on spending £250 at Tesco where you can earn Double Clubcard points = 120 miles (60 miles for every £2.50 voucher); spending the remaining £200 pounds at Game (or one of selected eStore merchants that has a double miles rate of £2 for 2 miles when spending £60 in one transaction) = 200 miles. Using the Lloyds TSB Airmiles Duo American Express® Card at both = 45 miles. Total = 365.
Airmiles www.airmiles.co.uk
The UK's longest running and most rewarding scheme of its kind, Airmiles members collect Airmiles for travel and leisure rewards.
Collect Airmiles with the Lloyds TSB Airmiles Duo Credit Card account, shopping at Tesco, filling up with fuel at Shell Service Stations and shop online with over 200 popular online brands when accessed via airmiles.co.uk eStore – including johnlewis.com, debenhams.com, Apple store, eBay.co.uk, Comet, Currys, Boden, hmv.com and Waterstone's.
Millions of members collect Airmiles on their everyday spending and use them for completely free flights that include all airline taxes, fees and surcharges, Eurostar journeys, hotel accommodation, tour operator holidays, car hire, travel insurance and special days out including Alton Towers, Legoland and English Heritage Annual Passes.
All bookings are subject to availability.
For more information please contact:
Susan Barber
Head of Corporate and Consumer PR
The Mileage Company
Tel: +44 (0) 1293 722 252
Mob: +44 (0) 7753 721240
Email: susan_barber at themileagecompany dot com
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