Christmas shoppers travel over a billion miles in search of perfect presents
UK shoppers are set to travel a staggering 1.2 billion miles in search of Christmas gifts this year, new research from One4All Gift Vouchers from the Post Office has revealed.On average people travel 26 miles and make 11 visits to shops in search of the ideal gift. It appears that men are the most likely to go the extra mile with 12 per cent travelling more than 100 miles in pursuit of presents.
Hugh Stacey Head of Gifting at the Post Office said: “It seems that people are literally going to great lengths to shop for Christmas presents.”
However, although over eight in ten of us (84 per cent) will have started on their Christmas shopping lists already, over a quarter of a million men admit they don’t start shopping until Christmas Eve. This may explain some rather strange un-festive presents which the research found beneath the Christmas gift wrap, these included:
A box of tic tacs
A can of diet cola
An ice cream
An egg
A free diary
Jar of expired instant coffee
A roll of clingfilm
A tin of tuna
A packet of crisps
A box of cornflakes
Almost a quarter of people (21 per cent) of people visit more than 20 shops. People in the South West are the most diligent with three per cent visiting more than 100 shops to complete their Christmas gift list.
People in Northern Scotland travel the furthest to complete their shopping. Over a third of people (35 per cent) travel over 100 miles.
An easy way to give the perfect gift, and save on travelling time and trips to the shops, is to give a new One4All Gift Voucher from the Post Office. Unlike traditional gift vouchers the One4All Gift Voucher is not restricted for use at just one retailer. Instead the recipient can choose from a vast list of participating high street shops, services and leisure activities across the UK.
Hugh Stacey continued “For people who don’t live within easy reach of a local high street, or haven’t the time to visit a wide range of shops, the new One4All Gift Voucher from their local Post Office could certainly help save on time and shoe leather!”
“From socks to sweaters, facial treatments to fly fishing – there’s so much choice your gift can never be in the wrong size or colour!”
With 94 per cent of people living within one mile of their local Post Office branch, the new One4All Gift Voucher offers an easy route to gift shopping for the millions of people in the UK who find that time or distance prevents them from easily visiting high streets or shopping centres.