Shoppers brace for Christmas ‘midweek mayhem’: Brits set to spend nearly £5billion on presents in run-up to December 25 – with Wednesday and Thursday predicted to be the high street’s busiest days

Shoppers have been predicted to spend almost £5billion in the final shopping days before Christmas, with ‘midweek mayhem’ beginning tomorrow.

Wednesday and Thursday are predicted to be the high street’s busiest days of the festive period for buying presents.

A number of retailers have launched half price sales and others will follow suit before the weekend.

Saturday is expected to see the longest queues in supermarkets, though analysts believe numbers will be down on a year ago with millions already on the road to see family and friends. One analysis predicts the nation will spend £4.89billion on the four days from December 21 to 24, which would be down 11.4 per cent largely due to the cost-of-living squeeze.

High street sales are set to hit £3.61billion during this period, with online sales reaching £1.27billion, according to the annual Christmas shopping study, based on consumer surveys, by VoucherCodes.co.uk.

Wednesday and Thursday are predicted to be the high street’s busiest day of the festive period for buying presents. Pictured: A family pose in Covent Garden Market

Shoppers have been braving the inclement weather as they purchase the last of their Christmas presents 

Saturday is expected to see the longest queues in supermarkets, however analysts believe numbers will be down on a year ago with millions already on the road to see family and friends

The company MRI Software, which measures footfall in stores and retail parks, is predicting that numbers will be up during the middle of the week before dropping away at the weekend.

It said: ‘As delivery times for online purchases dissipate during the peak Christmas trading week, consumers will turn to their local high streets, shopping centres or retail parks for those last-minute gifts and groceries, resulting in a significant rise in footfall.

‘Wednesday and Thursday are likely to be the peak shopping days this year and is anticipated to be at least 7.3 per cent higher than last year.

‘This rise is expected ahead of what will be the key getaway days this year; Friday and Saturday, also known as ‘Super Saturday’.’ 

One analysis predicts the nation will spend £4.89billion on the four days from December 21 to 24

High street sales are set to hit £3.61billion during this Christmas period, with online sales reaching £1.27billion

It added: ‘On Saturday, retail destinations across the UK are still expected to witness a week-on-week uplift however this will be much more subdued.

‘Year-on-year we anticipate this to be at least 5 per cent lower than last year likely attributed to many people choosing to travel to their Christmas destinations on Saturday.’ 

Insights Director at MRI Software, Jenni Matthews, said: ‘With no planned rail strikes in the lead up to Christmas Day, unlike last year, many consumers will take the opportunity to head out to retail destinations throughout the course of this week.

‘This much needed boost will be paramount in closing out the Golden Quarter following a challenging year for both the retail sector and consumers.’

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