Boost for retailers as UK shoppers set to spend more than £6bn on last-minute Christmas gifts

New analysis has found that one day this week will be the busiest for the high street, accounting for over 10% of the total spend during the next few days as consumers hunt for presents in bricks and mortar stores

UK consumers are set to spend £6.52billion this week as they embark on last-minute Christmas shopping trips.

New data has shown high street shoppers to spend £3.81bn with online shopping to reach £2.72bn. An estimated 55 million shoppers will hit the high streets to stock up on Christmas gifts, while will 31.7m shop online.

The data, from Vouchercodes has predicted that spend up until Friday will account for 49% of all spending in the 10 days building up to Christmas.

The busiest day for shopping will be Friday, with the highest spend peaking at £1.49bn - this accounts for 11% of the entire 10-day Christmas build-up period. It's followed by Thursday 19th at £1.39bn.

Friday will also be the busiest day on the roads since the AA began recording data in 2010. It said 23.7 million drivers are planning a trip on Friday, almost 4 million more than they did during the previous record of 19m making journeys on Friday December 21 2018.

Anita Naik, savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said “After a year or two of economic uncertainty, Brits - while being a little cautious - are set to sleigh the pre-Christmas sales this year as spending remains high in the week leading up to Christmas.

"If you are someone who’s still not finished their Christmas shopping, you are not alone as 28% of Brits admit to leaving their shopping to the last minute."