Britons are expected to spend a significant £3.43 billion on last-minute Christmas shopping during what is being referred to as “Panic Weekend.” According to projections from discount site VoucherCodes.co.uk, around 49.6 million individuals are anticipated to engage in festive shopping over the upcoming weekend, with 36.8 million of them planning to visit brick-and-mortar stores, providing a boost to town and city centers nationwide.
The forecast indicates that spending will peak at an average of £2.3 million per minute on “Super Saturday,” totaling £1.75 billion overall. This weekend serves as the final opportunity before Christmas for many to complete their gift purchases or, in some cases, to start them.
Zoe Morris, a savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, highlighted the trend, stating, “Despite one’s level of organization, there are always a few essential Christmas items that catch you off guard, prompting a last-minute rush to the stores. This year, a notable 10 million more individuals are expected to make purchases during this ‘Panic Weekend’ compared to last year – marking a 26.2% increase in shoppers.”
The positive news for retailers is that the anticipated spending surge over the weekend is nearly 13% higher than the previous year. Further data on foot traffic, which represents the number of shoppers out and about, showed a 5.1% increase last week, with the high street emerging as a clear winner.
Retail experts commented on the encouraging trends, noting, “As we enter the final stretch before Christmas, these patterns provide optimism for retail leaders. With the last 10 days of trading underway and ‘Super Saturday’ fast approaching, foot traffic is expected to increase further. As schools and many workplaces break for the holiday this week, the strongest upsurge is projected over the weekend, with shoppers focusing on last-minute gift purchases and festive grocery shopping.”
The accuracy of these forecasts will be confirmed only when stores begin reporting their holiday trading figures early in the new year. Concerns have been raised about the impact of the late announcement of the Budget on November 26 and fears of potential tax increases leading to reduced consumer spending.
A recent snapshot survey indicates a prevailing pessimistic sentiment following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement, with households expressing greater concerns about their future financial well-being than at any time since late 2023. Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, noted, “The latest household confidence indicator post-Autumn Budget presents disappointing results. Sentiment regarding financial prospects over the next 12 months has deteriorated to its gloomiest level in two years.”
She continued, “Current financial conditions for households have also worsened notably in December, driven by decreased available cash for spending and an increased reliance on debt. Confidence in the job market has also faltered, reaching a six-month low with signs of diminishing job security. Overall, the combination of subdued household confidence and early signs of job insecurity underscores the ongoing challenges facing UK households as they navigate an uncertain economic landscape heading into the new year. Consequently, spending intentions have weakened, suggesting consumers are unlikely to provide significant economic stimulus in 2026.”