Four out of every 10 Brits are fretting over how they'll foot the bill for Christmas this year as the escalating cost of living continues to squeeze households. However, shoppers nationwide are resolved to think outside the box, with three-quarters intending to shop savvy to conserve their pennies.
According to a recent poll of 2,000 adults loyalty points are making the season merrier for countless Brits. The survey found 47% use loyalty programmes as a way of saving around the festive period.
Brits are signed up to four different loyalty programmes to help their cash go further. And four out of ten are now align their everyday purchasing decisions with the potential for reward points.
Yet, nearly half have been holding back on spending them, confessing they haven't redeemed their points which could be valued at up to £190.
Some choose to hoard these points for a high-value item, while others utilise them regularly to whittle down everyday expenses.
A spokesperson for Virgin Red, which sponsored the survey, commented: "With many Brits feeling the squeeze this year from the rising cost of living, it's fantastic to see shoppers capitalising on points earning opportunities when purchasing Christmas gifts this year."
They added: "Loyalty programmes with travel benefits are an excellent starting point as you can literally transform your routine spending into extraordinary experiences, and it appears that many people are now getting the hang of it."
The research also discovered that loyalty schemes aren't the only ace up shoppers' sleeves; a third of Brits depend on price-comparison websites, and over a third exploit free delivery offers to save money.
And there's some areas across the UK where locals consider themselves the best bargain hunters.
Belfast has been crowned the UK's discount-detective capital, with a whopping three-quarters of its residents boasting about their thrifty shopping skills during the festive season. The region's bargain hunters are snapping up everything from presents and chocolates to festive food.
Close behind, both Manchester and Southampton have their fair share of deal-seekers, with many dedicating upwards of two hours per week to find those penny-saving deals.
Virgin Red has welcomed more than a million new members in just this year alone showcasing the heightened interest in rewards programs.
The spokesperson for Virgin Red enthused: "Redeeming points on something special is like winning the lottery, and shoppers are finding it's a great way to add sparkle to Christmas without blowing the budget."