Overview
- New Thinkmoney research reports the average UK household plans to spend £787 on the festive season, up £87 from last year.
- Funding plans skew toward borrowing and deferral, with 25% expecting to use credit cards and 14% opting for Buy Now Pay Later, while 47% find BNPL attractive and this rises to 73% among 25–34 year olds.
- Financial strain remains pronounced, as 30% of respondents say they would cancel or delay Christmas if they could and Thinkmoney warns that heavy BNPL use could push debts into 2026.
- A separate GlobalData survey for Vouchercodes estimates £1,371 per person across the six weeks before Christmas and a £91.1bn national total, with about £443 for presents and £316 for food and drink per household.
- The Office for National Statistics reports UK retail sales volumes rose 0.5% in September, pointing to a firmer backdrop for retailers heading into the holidays.