Spending on credit and debit cards up this Christmas

Barclaycard Payment Acceptance, one of the largest processors of debit and credit card transactions in the UK has announced that shoppers spent  more on debit and credit cards from 19 December to 31 December compared to the same period last year.  The busiest day prior to Christmas Day for turnover came on the 23 December with £497m being spent.  After Christmas Day, sales peaked on the 29 December with £376m being spent.

Total 19 - 31 December 2009 turnover was £4,085m compared to £3,989m in the same period in 2008 - a 2.4% increase

Post Christmas spending up in 2009 versus 2008 - £1,683m versus £1,642m

Busiest pre-Christmas shopping day 23 December with £497m in card transactions processed

Christmas Day - £24m over 0.7m individual transactions processed

Christmas Day transactions peaked at 12.08 with 32 transactions a second

Boxing Day saw an average credit card transaction of £72.46.  This was  largely driven by the DIY and electronic stores sectors

Online retailers saw £9.5m of turnover on Christmas Day compared to £8.1m for Christmas Day 2008 - an increase of 17%

Marc Pettican, Head of Sales at Barclaycard Global Payment Acceptance said "Our retailers have seen an increase in turnover compared to the same period last year with over £4 billion being spent.  We've also seen a stronger post-Christmas performance as shoppers take advantage of the sales discounts and consider the effects of the imminent VAT increase".