Karen Potton’s Post

“Pre-loved” Christmas gifts are set to be worth… are you sitting down?... £2.05 billion this year. That’s 10.2% of total UK Christmas spending, with value for money and sustainability being cited as key reasons for the boom in secondhand sales. And with the cost of living crisis still making it tough for hundreds of thousands of families, that makes a big difference. One of the sections in our recent “Why Won’t Cash Just Die???” study that stood out to me was the role that cash can play in helping people to stick to budgets - with electronic payments so easy to lose track of. Have you come across “cash stuffing” for example? Of course, retailers want people to spend this festive season, but they should be helping them to do it responsibly. #Cash #Payments #Retail 

Statistic Of The Day: PNC has provided a Christmas Index for the past 41 years and here are the 2024 results. The true cost of the gifts from the song the 12 Days of Christmas. "Purchasing all 364 gifts — the "True Cost of Christmas," that is buying the gifts with verses repeated — crossed the $200,000 threshold for the first time last year, and today settles in 3.6% higher at $209,272. Trying to quickly sleigh your list by shopping online? Price increases for tech-savvy Santas were lower than those who shop in stores, but the total remains higher at $54,074. The convenience of shopping from home is still impacted by elevated shipping and packaging costs that have yet to ease since the pandemic." https://lnkd.in/eBmG5dU

The festive season is right around the corner. Whether you’re hosting Christmas lunch or buying gifts for loved ones, there are lots of ways to save dollars and earn points on your purchases. Here are some of our top tips. 🎁

Festive season is here with us. Yes as you walk around the environment has changed from shopping malls to the tv programs. How have you prepared for the season financially?? Few tips for you to be able to walk through the season without pressure: 📌Write your budget, yes write everything you expect to do with money for example shopping, transport gifts etc. This will help you direct every coin to the intended purpose. 📌 Take 48 hours before spending money that lands in your wallet. When money lands in your pocket, mpesa, account, your emotions arise and you may react instead of responding to the emotions. Hence it's advisable to sleep over the money and now plan for it when you are in your normal status. 📌 Buy in wholesale. Yes you may have to buy in wholesale most of things so as to reduce costs. Especially if travelling upcountry, avoid shopping in town but check wholesalers near your village. It will save you much. 📌 Say NO as a complete answer. You will experience alot of ceremonies. Choose which to attend and which not to. Remember NO is a complete statement. 📌 Always ask God to guide you on your spending. You are just but a steward for the resources you have because everything belongs to God. #financialwellness #budgetingtips #festiveseason

Australians are embracing the festive spirit early in 2024, with a majority of shoppers (53%) having already purchased gifts as of mid-October. New Roy Morgan data, commissioned by the ARA, reveals shoppers are forecast to spend $11.8 billion on presents in 2024, up $1.6 billion on last year’s figures. 16.7 million Australians will be buying Christmas gifts in total this year, up 1% on 2023. ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown 🌻🌻🌻 says this year’s trend of buying presents early is driven by a focus on value for money. “With Australians continuing to battle a cost-of-living crisis, we know more people are planning ahead this year and carefully researching to find gifts at the best available prices. “Overall peak season spending projections are at $69.7 billion, up 2.7% on last year. This boost in spending is very welcome news – particularly for discretionary retailers who make up to two thirds of their annual profits during peak season. View media release - https://lnkd.in/gweymWhD

Post Holiday Shopping Sprees 📉💸 It happens every year. You’ve spent weeks (or maybe months) plotting over finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones, selecting items that you’re sure will bring a smile to their faces. You’ve wrapped them up, watched the joy of unwrapping, and thought, “Totally worth it.” Then, the day after Christmas arrives, and there it is, the very gift you spent full price on is now sitting online at a 50% discount. This is a reminder that it may be a good idea to leave some of the budget left over for after Christmas so you can shop for more deals and discounts! #SmartShopping #SaveMoney #MoneySavingTips #Budgeting #ShopSmart #HolidaySavings

Attention all holiday shoppers! Are you tired of paying full price for your groceries when you could be living your best life with discounts and promotions? Well, have I got news for you! This riveting blog post reveals an astonishing array of supermarket deals tailored just for the festive season. Yes, because who doesn’t love saving money while overindulging? Learn how various stores are rolling out a smorgasbord of benefits with their own cards, bank cards, and even virtual wallets, all designed to entice you to spend that precious Christmas bonus. Because what's more festive than getting a deal while loading up on holiday treats? Read all about it and prepare to stuff your cart (and save some cash) at the link below. You won’t want to miss out on this. [Check it out here](https://ift.tt/qWX6Qei)

The UK is set for a surprising festive spending rise! 🎄 Amidst global economic uncertainty, the UK stands out as the only key European nation expected to see a boost in Christmas spending this year, with a 4% increase to £88.29bn. 📈 While inflation plays a role, what’s even more interesting is the 1.4% rise in sales volume—consumers are spending more, not just paying higher prices. This festive season, the UK seems ready to embrace celebrations with more travel, gifts, and food & drink spending. 🎁✈️🍽️ What does this mean for businesses? 💬 In a more financially savvy market, consumers are still looking for deals and value, despite having a bit more in their pockets. It’s a clear reminder that, to capture attention this Christmas, businesses need to offer genuine value, rather than relying solely on inflated prices. 💭 How are you preparing for the festive retail surge? Will your strategy focus on discounts or experience this year? #FestiveSpending #UKEconomy #RetailStrategy #ConsumerTrends #Christmas2024 #HolidayShopping #SalesGrowth #Market #FMCG #BusinessStrategy #UKRetail

🎁Hello, I’m back in the UK – just in time for the Christmas season! 🎄 With the festive period in full swing, I thought I’d share some useful tips to help you make the most of your pre-Christmas shopping – tax-efficiently, of course.🤩 Did you know you can gift yourself or your team tax-free presents under the Trivial Benefits rule? You can spread a little festive cheer without worrying about tax or National Insurance. Here’s how it works: ✅ Keep it small: The gift must cost £50 or less. ✅ No cash allowed: Cash is naughty, but vouchers (like Amazon or John Lewis) are nice. ✅ Not contractual: This isn’t part of their employment terms. ✅ No strings attached: It can’t be a reward for work or performance. If all these boxes are ticked, it’s completely tax-free for both you and your team. 💥 For directors, there’s a £300 annual cap, but for staff, there’s no limit – so long as each gift stays under £50. 🎁 If you’re unsure whether your gift qualifies as ‘trivial’ or just want to get your Christmas giving right, feel free to get in touch. Let’s make this festive season a little merrier and a lot more tax-efficient! 🤶

For many of us, holiday season = gift giving season 🎁 When it comes to spending money on our loved ones this year, Europeans are feeling generous. Our EU Consumer Insights Report found that over 80% of consumers who are buying gifts for loved ones this festive season, will buy for up to 15 people, and they plan to spend on average more than 50 Euros per gift. As consumers begin checking things off their (and their loved ones’) wish list, sellers are jumping at the opportunity to help the elves, the reindeer, and Santa deliver presents for those on the nice list. Don’t miss out on some of the best gifts you can give this holiday season! #AliExpress #EU #ConsumerInsights #ecommerce #HolidayShopping