10 day holiday countdown starts today

Today (15th July 2008) is expected to be one of the most popular shopping days of the summer as parents prepare for the family holiday getaway.

Research reveals that most British travellers wait until 10 days before their summer break to start their holiday shopping.

With some state schools in England not breaking-up until Wednesday 23rd July, the weekend of 26th July will be when many families head off on holiday. So today is expected to be the day that most parents buy their travel essentials.

Included on the holiday shopping list is travel money and insurance, alongside holiday clothes and sunscreen. M&S Money research shows that 69% of people buy foreign currency before travelling, to pay for goods and services overseas.

Fraser Millar, M&S Head of Travel Services, commented: "It's encouraging that so many holidaymakers are buying their travel money in advance, as it's always a good idea to buy before you fly and make the best of competitive exchange rates on the high street. The small number who don't usually plan ahead needn't worry, as they still have time to get their currency before the big getaway."

M&S Money has geared up for its typical annual increase in foreign currency sales of over 60% during the peak holiday season. More than half of all currency orders will be for euros, as Brits head for family holidays in Europe.

This year M&S Money has made it even easier for shoppers to get foreign currency while they pick up the rest of their travel essentials. Cash machines which dispense both euros and dollars are now available at M&S stores across the country.

The new cash machines offer the same competitive exchange rates, commission-free, as at M&S bureaux de change and the telephone and internet ordering services. This gives customers more choice and convenience when buying their currency - with some standalone cash machines in M&S Simply Food stores, and others complementing the bureau service in larger stores.

Marks & Spencer Travel Money is available at bureaux de change in over 100 M&S stores, also online at marksandspencer.com/travelmoney