One in eight people (12%) in Ireland has already started Christmas shopping this month, research shows.
According to research from Mastercard, 16% people from Ireland will start their Christmas shopping in October, 46% in November and 24% in December.
The data found that three in five (60%) start shopping early to spread the cost of Christmas.
The average person will spend €755.67 on Christmas gifts this year, the research showed.
'Experiential' Gifts
The research showed that the trend of shopping for experiences over materials is 'also sparking shoppers into festive mode' even earlier in a bid to secure ‘experiential’ gifts including theatre tickets, cookery classes, yoga retreats and trips away.
“The increasing popularity of experiences as gifts over material goods means Christmas shopping is getting even earlier each year,” said Sonya Geelon, Ireland country manager, Mastercard.
“The way we shop has changed and even Christmas Day has become a shopping occasion as more and more people buy from their smartphones and tablets.
Others gift experiences on the list include Michelin-starred dinners, wine tasting, stargazing, escape rooms, creative workshops and tickets to football and other sports.
Shopping On Christmas Day
People also remain shopping around the Christmas tree on Christmas Day, with more than half (52%) shoppers finding time to find deals and flash sales online in between courses.
Between 10am and 2pm is peak shopping time on 25 December, Mastercard said.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
