| Consumers are increasingly looking to complete their | | | | their gifts, as just over a third of respondents are to |
| festive shopping early, new research shows. | | | | conduct most of their shopping via the internet. |
| According to a study conducted by American | | | | Commenting on the findings, Tom Allder, vice-president |
| Express, men are challenging the stereotype of | | | | of UK lending for American Express, said: "Our |
| constantly frantically searching for gifts at the very last | | | | research shows that 90 per cent of people are |
| minute on Christmas Eve. Findings from the financial | | | | planning to do some of their Christmas shopping online |
| services provider revealed that more than | | | | this year, although store shopping still dominates overall. |
| three-quarters (82 per cent) of males, including those | | | | This could explain why most men are getting their |
| who may have taken out a loan to help fund their | | | | yuletide shopping in the bag so early, so that they can |
| purchase, plan to have the majority of their shopping | | | | be sure their online gifts arrive in time." |
| completed by December 14th - leaving them some 11 | | | | The most-wanted presents for men are books, DVDs |
| shopping days spare in which to pick up any extra | | | | and CDs. Clothes and cash complete the top five |
| items. Meanwhile, 16 per cent of men are due to delay | | | | sought-after gifts for this demographic. Meanwhile, |
| hitting the high street to the week leading up to | | | | clothes are the most desired item for women, followed |
| Christmas Day. Conversely, just one per cent will start | | | | by books and cosmetics. Females were also reported |
| shopping on Christmas Eve. | | | | to want jewellery and CDs for this festive period. |
| Overall, the typical Briton is set to spend some 511 | | | | Those consumers who are concerned that at present |
| pounds over the course of this Christmas - a rise of | | | | they will be unable to fund the Christmas of their |
| 50 pounds from last year, with a low-rate loan one | | | | dreams this year may wish to consider applying for a |
| possible to fund such spending. Meanwhile, about half | | | | low-rate loan to help meet the costs of buying gifts |
| (49 per cent) of consumers plan to get something for | | | | and festive food. However, research conducted by |
| themselves. Women are looking to splash out 70 | | | | moneysupermarket earlier this month advised those |
| pounds, while men are on track to double such | | | | looking to take out a loan to act sooner rather than |
| self-expenditure at 133 pounds. | | | | later as the comparison website suggests that a |
| However, women still appear to be more organised in | | | | number of financial providers are increasing the interest |
| terms of shopping for the festive season. More than | | | | rates attached to their borrowing products and |
| half (58 per cent) of females state the majority of their | | | | becoming stricter with lending criteria. Tim Moss, head |
| gifts will be purchased by the end of November, as | | | | of loans, reported that as a result of the credit crunch |
| just four per cent report that they are to put off | | | | more people may find their finances under greater |
| shopping until Christmas week. Further research by | | | | pressure in the coming months, making now potentially |
| American Express indicated that 56 per cent of | | | | an ideal time to apply for a loan. |
| Britons will visit the high street to get the majority of | | | | |