Cape Town – Most South Africans expect chocolates as Christmas gifts this year, followed by more practical gifts such as cash, clothes, shoes or books.
Auditing group Deloitte’s latest survey on Christmas shopping indicates South Africans are going to spend 4.75% more during this year's coming festive season compared with 2012. It’s obvious though that the economy is tight, with the expected average price of a Christmas gift about 23.4% lower than in 2012.
Deloitte’s retail specialist Ilse du Toit says South Africans are becoming more adult with regard to financial matters: they realise they want to have a good time, but also know they don’t want to face credit card debt in the new year.
Shoppers will look for bargains and 31% say their loyalty card programmes will influence their shopping.
Staying at home
They are willing to spend more money on get-togethers (8.96%); gifts (7.18%) and food (3.7%). About 36% of their budget for gifts will be earmarked for children, but they will budget just 1.63% more on travelling. The much higher fuel price means many people will stay at home.
The internet will have a much bigger impact on spending and 55% of those with internet access say they’re going to do online research about their planned shopping and will also check out brand names and e-commerce online services.
Nevertheless South Africans still prefer conventional shopping methods because they like the "festive atmosphere" in shops in the run-up to Christmas. Just 21% indicated they’re going to do their Christmas shopping online.
Festive season budgeting:
* More money will be earmarked for get-togethers(8.96%), gifts (7.18%) and food (3.7%);
* People will spend just 1.63% more on travelling because the much higher fuel price means they’re going to stay at home;
* 36% of people’s budget for gifts will be set aside for children.
- Sake24
Auditing group Deloitte’s latest survey on Christmas shopping indicates South Africans are going to spend 4.75% more during this year's coming festive season compared with 2012. It’s obvious though that the economy is tight, with the expected average price of a Christmas gift about 23.4% lower than in 2012.
Deloitte’s retail specialist Ilse du Toit says South Africans are becoming more adult with regard to financial matters: they realise they want to have a good time, but also know they don’t want to face credit card debt in the new year.
Shoppers will look for bargains and 31% say their loyalty card programmes will influence their shopping.
Staying at home
They are willing to spend more money on get-togethers (8.96%); gifts (7.18%) and food (3.7%). About 36% of their budget for gifts will be earmarked for children, but they will budget just 1.63% more on travelling. The much higher fuel price means many people will stay at home.
The internet will have a much bigger impact on spending and 55% of those with internet access say they’re going to do online research about their planned shopping and will also check out brand names and e-commerce online services.
Nevertheless South Africans still prefer conventional shopping methods because they like the "festive atmosphere" in shops in the run-up to Christmas. Just 21% indicated they’re going to do their Christmas shopping online.
Festive season budgeting:
* More money will be earmarked for get-togethers(8.96%), gifts (7.18%) and food (3.7%);
* People will spend just 1.63% more on travelling because the much higher fuel price means they’re going to stay at home;
* 36% of people’s budget for gifts will be set aside for children.
- Sake24
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