Britons are expected to allocate £3.43 billion for last-minute Christmas shopping during what has been referred to as “Panic Weekend.” VoucherCodes.co.uk, a discount website, anticipates that 49.6 million individuals will engage in festive shopping this upcoming weekend, with 36.8 million planning to visit brick-and-mortar stores, providing a significant boost to town and city centers nationwide.
The forecast indicates that spending will peak at an average of £2.3 million per minute on “Super Saturday,” totaling £1.75 billion. This weekend is the final opportunity before Christmas, as many people will be either completing their gift purchases or starting them for the first time.
Zoe Morris, a savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, remarked, “No matter how well-prepared you believe you are, there are always a few essential Christmas items that catch you off guard, prompting a last-minute trip to the stores.” She added, “This year, Brits are delaying their shopping until the very last moment, with an additional 10 million shoppers expected to participate in this ‘Panic Weekend’ compared to last year, marking a 26.2% increase in shoppers.”
Retailers can take solace in the fact that the projected spending surge over the weekend is nearly 13% higher than the previous year. According to data from MRI Software, footfall, indicating the number of shoppers out and about, increased by 5.1% last week, with the high street emerging as the primary beneficiary.
“This data is encouraging for retail executives as the Christmas countdown nears its end,” stated the report. “With the final 10 days of trading underway and ‘Super Saturday’ fast approaching, footfall is expected to rise further.”
As schools and many workplaces enter the holiday break this week, the strongest surge in shoppers is anticipated over the weekend, focusing on last-minute gift purchases and festive grocery shopping.
The validity of this optimistic forecast will only become apparent when stores begin reporting their festive trading figures in early 2026. Concerns have been raised that the late timing of the Budget announcement on November 26, coupled with fears of impending tax increases, had a negative impact on consumer spending.
A recent survey indicated that sentiment following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement did not improve, with households displaying increased pessimism about their future financial well-being compared to late 2023. Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, noted, “The latest household confidence indicator post-Autumn Budget makes for disappointing reading. Sentiment toward the financial outlook for the next 12 months has soured to its gloomiest point in two years.”
“Households’ current financial conditions have also reportedly worsened in December, with a noticeable decrease in available spending money and an increasing reliance on additional debt. Confidence in the job market has also faltered, reaching its lowest level in six months, hinting at deteriorating job security.”
“In light of subdued household confidence and early signs of job insecurity, UK households face ongoing challenges as they navigate an uncertain economic landscape heading into the new year. Spending intentions have deteriorated in this challenging financial climate, suggesting that consumers are unlikely to provide a significant boost to the economy in 2026.”