BRITS TO SHELL OUT UP TO £1,000 THIS CHRISTMAS With just weeks until the big day, new research shows that 45 percent of Brits will be spending the same this Christmas as they did last year. 73 percent worry about finding the perfect gift and 98 percent are keen to support local businesses Despite cost of living concerns, over 45 percent of Brits will be spending the same this Christmas, with 33 percent spending more, according to new research from local gift card champions Town & City Gift Cards. 28 percent of people say they’ll be spending £751-£1000 this Christmas, with the need to purchase gifts for friends and family given as the reason for Christmas spend staying the same or increasing. But finding the perfect gift isn’t always easy with a huge 73 percent of Brits worrying about finding the perfect gift. The research also revealed a move towards more ‘useful’ gifts that offer choice with 89 percent planning to buy at least one gift card this Christmas. 92.9 percent prefer giving a gift card to cash with 77 percent saying this is because it encourages the recipient to treat themselves. And gift cards are a Christmas present that people want to receive too, with 89 percent saying they would like to receive a multi-store gift card that can be spent at more than one business and 94% preferring gift cards that can be used in various sectors, such as retail, hospitality and leisure. Support for local is higher than ever with 98 percent keen to support local this Christmas and 87% saying supporting local businesses helps to keep them open. 60% say shopping local offers a better experience. The research was undertaken by Town & City Gift Cards in August 2023 with over 1,000 consumers, employees and organisations. Town & City Gift Cards are local gift cards that can be spent with national and independent retailers in a particular town or city, locking spend into that place. Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex, the firm which provides the technology for the Town & City Gift Card programme and said: “The research revealed changing attitudes towards gifting with a greater emphasis on gifts that can be used in a practical way and offer the recipient choice. “There’s also a really strong awareness of the need to shop local because people realise the impact it has on their community. Local gift cards wrap up choice and support for local in one gift card, reducing the pressure and worry of finding a perfect gift as the recipient can choose exactly what they want from all types and sizes of local businesses.” https://townandcitygiftcards.com/ ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROCKET68 LICENSED FOR RANGE OF 2025 PRODUCTS Illustrations by Rocket68, a producer of award-winning illustrated paper products represented by art licensing and design company The London Studio, have been licensed for a range of 2025 calendars and diaries by Portico Designs, an independent publisher of gifts, calendars and greeting cards. The Portico range is to be based on London Calling, Rocket68’s award-winning illustrated collection of Londonthemed prints and cards that aim to portray the vibrancy and beauty of London’s architecture, areas, life and communities. The deal was brokered on behalf of The London Studio by independent licensing sales consultant Kirsty Guthrie of KJG Ltd. www.rocket68.com 16
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