11th November 2014

NEWS RELEASE

Britons are splashing on average 482.37 so that they can have a jolly Christmas this year – boosting the economy by 13 billion
Adults will spend almost 30 per gift and purchase 13 presents

It is set to be a jolly Christmas this year, as four in five 82 per cent say they are heading into the festive season feeling more positive about the coming year than at any point in the past decade. As a result of this upturn, British households will be spending on average 482.37 this festive season, which is an increase of 21.97 from last year. This restored festive cheer across Britain will also give the economy a welcome boost of 13 million. These findings have been revealed today in a new consumer spending index which was conducted by Travelodge.
The study which surveyed 2,000 British adults across Britain, has revealed that Welsh households will be the biggest spenders this festive season as their average spend this Christmas will be 522.93, followed by Scots who will be splashing out 467.25. In England, households will be spending 464.14 and in Northern Ireland it is 407.53.
The report also found that the spirit of giving is alive and well this Christmas, as Britons will be buying on average 13 presents at an average cost of 29.81 per gift this festive season. Last year adults purchased 12 presents at an average cost of 28.70. The most generous folk are in Wrexham, where households will buy 17 presents on average as a cost of more than 30 per present.
Interestingly when it comes to the big meal of the year, British households are spending 98.84 this festive season, which is 17.16 less than last year, when the average Christmas dinner cost 116. Nearly half of respondents 47 per cent stated they would be purchasing their holiday food and drink from a value supermarket such as Aldi or Lidl.

The index also revealed that 56 per cent of Britons will be travelling this festive season to spend their holidays with family and friends – with 48per cent of respondents travelling late on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day morning.

On average Britons will travel 62 miles to get to loved ones this Christmas. One in ten adults will consume over 7,000 calories by eating two Christmas dinners in order to keep different sides of the families happy.

A third 32per cent of Britons said they are spending the festive day at home with just their partner and children and 15per cent say they are taking their partner away during the festive season as a Christmas gift. Just 2per cent of Britons are going abroad this festive season.

The table below details the spending breakdown for the UK and the UK’s top 10 biggest and lowest spenders:

UK Breakdown
Total spend for 2014

Average spend on Christmas entertaining
Average spend on gift
Number of gifts purchased
UK 482.37 94.84 29.81 13
England 464.14 100.66 27.96 13
Wales 522.93 92.15 30.77 14
Scotland 467.25 104.97 30.19 12
Northern Ireland 407.53 106.43 36.10 11

The UK s biggest spenders this Christmas

City
Total spend for 2014
Average spend on Christmas entertaining
Average spend on gift
Number of gifts purchased
Wrexham 590.67 72.17 30.50 17
Sheffield 575.36 108.11 31.15 15
Cardiff 556.17 90.95 33.23 14
Manchester 535.33 91.77 34.12 13
Plymouth 523.87 83.15 31.48 14
Swansea 517.97 102.17 27.72 15
Aberdeen 513.33 84.59 32.98 13
Liverpool 507.41 90.50 32.07 13
Wolverhampton 502.99 106.11 36.08 11
Leicester 496.17 83.17 29.50 14

Lowest spending towns and cities

City-
Total spend for 2014
-
Average spend on Christmas entertaining-
Average spend on gift -
Number of gifts purchased
Birmingham- 287.44- 95.50- 13.71-14
Glasgow - 371.59- 61.50- 28.19-11
Portsmouth- 378.76- 118.23- 23.63-11
Southampton - 381.27- 100.88- 25.49-11
Leeds- 381.96- 93.54- 26.22-11
Coventry- 385.73- 78.17- 25.63-12
Cambridge- 397.07- 97.13- 23.07-13
Norwich- 399.17- 113.83- 25.94-11
Belfast- 412.64- 96.06- 28.78-11
Newcastle - 438.33- 116.33- 23.00-14

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said Our report shows that consumer confidence will bring much needed holiday cheer to the UK economy this Christmas. There is certainly a feel-good factor spreading across Britain as the festive season approaches. We have already experienced a double digit increase in room bookings from Christmas Eve right through to New Year s Day this year, with Britons making preparations to visit family and friends over the holidays.
Interestingly more people are opting to stay in a hotel when visiting family and friends as it provide an ideal base, as well as a haven. It puts less pressure on the host and their family, resulting in a harmonious Christmas get together.
When it comes to preparing for the big day, 1 December is the most popular date to get started with a third making preparations from then. One in ten adults leave all of the preparations until 23 December before getting started, whilst a quarter of adults start preparing in November. One in ten make preparations in the Boxing Day and January sales, a year ahead of Christmas. On average Britons spend 28 hours preparing for Christmas day.
Ends
For further information
Please contact the Travelodge press office at: 01844 35 8703 or by email at: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk
Notes to editors
The survey was conducted in November 2014 amongst a sample group of 2,000 adults throughout the UK