UK buyers are anticipated to spend £3.6bn throughout the Boxing Day gross sales this 12 months, based on the newest Barclays Client Spend report, regardless of a fall within the variety of folks planning to participate.
Barclays mentioned the common Boxing Day shopper plans to spend £253, up from £236 in 2024. Nevertheless, solely 26% of shoppers count on to buy on Boxing Day, down from 28% final 12 months, reflecting ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
The full spend forecast is decrease than earlier years, in contrast with £4.6bn in 2024 and £4.7bn in 2023.
Round seven in 10 shoppers mentioned rising prices would have an effect on their spending selections, up from 47% a 12 months earlier.
Throughout the broader festive gross sales interval, which incorporates Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the January gross sales, 44% of shoppers mentioned they plan to buy.
Amongst this group, the January gross sales have been the most well-liked, cited by 89%.
In-store buying stays a key a part of the gross sales interval. Practically half of these planning to buy on Boxing Day mentioned they intend to go to bodily shops, citing the flexibility to see merchandise in individual, human interplay and the expertise of buying as causes for doing so.
Throughout the total festive interval, 97% of gross sales buyers mentioned they count on to buy in-store no less than as soon as.
On-line buying stays the popular possibility for 40% of gross sales buyers, with the usage of synthetic intelligence and different digital instruments turning into extra widespread.
Greater than a 3rd mentioned they use AI or sensible instruments to analysis merchandise, evaluate costs or establish offers, rising to greater than half amongst these aged 18 to 34.
Moreover, clothes, footwear and equipment have been the most well-liked classes, chosen by 37% of buyers, adopted by foods and drinks, magnificence merchandise and homeware. Nevertheless, 25% mentioned they plan to purchase solely important objects throughout the gross sales.
Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, mentioned: “Buyers have demonstrated simply how cost-conscious they’re all through 2025, and we count on that we’ll see this play out throughout the Boxing Day gross sales, significantly with AI empowering shoppers to buy smarter and hunt down the perfect offers. Regardless of this, many nonetheless benefit from the social and sensory expertise of visiting shops. People who do hit the excessive road may profit each from larger budgets, maybe having held out for the gross sales, and probably much less competitors, from fewer gross sales buyers.
“Boxing Day remains to be a pivotal second for retailers, fuelled by Christmas nostalgia, but it surely has developed to replicate trendy shopper calls for. This 12 months, we’re prone to see a balanced mix of on-line comfort, experiential retail and more and more aware buying.”
