The countdown to Christmas is on, and with 100 days until the big day, a significant number of shoppers are already getting a head start on their holiday shopping. A recent survey of 2,000 adults revealed that a staggering 25% have begun their Christmas shopping, primarily driven by the fear of missing out on in-demand items.
The survey found that 50% of respondents have previously struggled to find popular presents, with 30% even missing out completely. This experience has fueled a widespread anxiety among shoppers, with 36% feeling exhausted and an additional 38% feeling anxious about securing the gifts they want. Despite the early start, many shoppers are already making significant progress. A notable 36% of those who began early have already purchased the main gift for an adult recipient.
The items that shoppers are most worried about selling out include:
* Decorations (36%)
* Latest tech products (32%)
* Children’s advent calendars (29%)
* Christmas must-have toys (29%)
Alex Stedman, a shopping and trends expert at Rakuten, a cashback and rewards firm that commissioned the research, attributes this phenomenon to a growing “fear of selling out” (FOSO). Stedman explains that social media and past experiences of missed opportunities are contributing factors, leading shoppers to fear they won’t be able to secure the perfect gifts. He points to the past popularity of beauty advent calendars and game consoles as examples of items that have created panic buying situations.
Beyond the fear of missing out, other motivations are driving early holiday shopping. A significant 52% of shoppers are looking to spread the cost of Christmas, while 45% aim to secure better bargains by starting early. For 26%, it’s simply a matter of celebrating the season they love.
Savvy shoppers are also employing various strategies to maximize their holiday shopping experience. These include leveraging loyalty points accumulated throughout the year (25%) and utilizing cashback websites (15%). Among those who use cashback websites, 43% specifically save their rewards for Christmas spending, while another 40% purchase items early to ensure the money earned is available by December.
The survey also revealed that the average Christmas budget for this year is estimated to be £626.
Stedman emphasizes the benefits of early planning, stating that it not only secures desired gifts but also promotes a less stressful holiday season. He encourages shoppers to take advantage of deals and cashback offers to stretch their budget and enhance the festive experience.
To help shoppers avoid missing out on their Christmas must-haves, Stedman provides the following top tips:
*
Subscribe to alerts:
If an item is sold out, sign up for stock alerts from retailers to be notified when it becomes available. With 100 days until Christmas, there’s likely to be ample time to secure the desired gift.*
Monitor for deals:
Retailers often offer deals before December, so sign up for their emails and websites to be ready to grab a bargain when they emerge.*
Maximize cashback:
Utilize cashback shopping platforms to earn rewards on top of deals and sales, maximizing your holiday funds.*
