Bargain Christmas for savvy shoppers

More than eight in ten (86%) consumers claim to be ‘savvy shoppers’,– looking for sale signs, money off vouchers and surfing the net for online bargains. However, the research conducted by online payment solution PayPal also reveals that just 38% of savvy shoppers make sure they have a budget and stick to it before they hit the shops or the cyber high street.

The research also revealed that less than half (49%) of savvy shoppers in Britain do their research before they reach for their wallets and splash the cash whilst shopping. And when it comes to budgeting the Scots are the worst culprits, just 33% say they stick to a budget, this is compared to 45% of savvy shoppers in the South of England who say they stick to a budget when hitting the shops.

As we splash out approximately £154 each on presents for family and mates over the festive period, staying smart will be important when it comes to picking the right presents with the best price tag. Planning and then shopping around online is undoubtedly one of the best ways to cut the cost of Christmas and hunt out those sneaky bargains.

Savvy Shoppers Top 5 Savings Tips

1. Make a list

Be creative and think what that person really wants or needs. The list will help you stay focused on what you need to buy and avoid you being distracted by other things that you don’t need right now.

2. Set a budget

Make sure you stay within your budget. This way, you’ll feel more in control of your finances and even more satisfied with the fruits of your Christmas shopping.

3. Do your research

It is always best to do as much research as possible – either by checking prices online or comparing different products, you can be sure that when you finally buy your gifts you will know that you’ve bought the right item for that person and at the best price.

4. Shop online to find the best bargains

5. Look out for early discounts or cash-back offers

Cristina Hoole, shopping expert at PayPal says: “Christmas is usually an expensive time for all of us, so it’s encouraging to see people get smarter about shopping and use money saving tips. Pre-planning who you are going to buy for and setting a budget are essential elements to ensure that you don’t regret it in January!”

“Not only will you be able to do the majority of your research online, but it is also a great way to save money, many of the best deals can be found online, so those expensive treats you might be planning on buying for someone special could end up costing less than buying them on the High Street.”

As consumers slash their planned Christmas spend to £154, less than half that spent in 2005, where the average sum was £3101 finding those critical money off or cashback opportunities is even more important. PayPal has launched a new shopping site in time for Christmas, with online retailers offering PayPal customers up to 17% cashback and 20% discount on purchases, enabling them to save whilst they spend. The site features dozens of top retailers including Ann Summers, Comet, John Lewis, Littlewoods, Next, Superbreak, Woolworths, Toys “R” Us, and The Body Shop, some of which are offering as much as 10% cashback.

Customers register on the site for free, and receive their cashback directly into their PayPal accounts. Customers with a PayPal Credit Card are also eligible for an additional bonus cashback. For more information, visit PayPal Offers at paypal-offers.co.uk.