Retailers believe that sales driven by consumers using their mobile devices to seek out bargains could rise as much as 50pc this year, a study by Barclays Bank Ireland indicates.
Internet sales will also continue to grow with 36pc of retailers believing this platform will experience the biggest growth this Christmas.
Almost half of retailers believe Irish consumers use their websites on Christmas day with 48pc saying they believe online traffic will rise by at least 11pc on Christmas Day, compared with last year.
The study found that Irish consumers are set to spend more this Christmas than last year but practical presents will continue to top Santa’s list.
Savvy shoppers
The study into the sentiments of Irish retailers shows that four out of five (80pc) of retailers believe this year’s Christmas sales will exceed or match sales last year but 72pc expect that practical presents will remain the most popular choice this Christmas. Only 28pc believe that consumers would spend more on frivolous or fun gifts.
“It is great to see that consumer confidence is on the rise but it is also clear that the Irish consumer is a much savvier shopper than they were during the years of the Celtic Tiger, and so it is no surprise that practical presents will continue to feature prominently this festive season,” said Helen Kelly, head of Large Corporates at Barclays Bank Ireland.
“It is very interesting to see that Irish consumers are likely to continue shopping online on Christmas Day to bag bargains online. This may be one of only a few days a year when retailers are not physically able to throw open their doors so offering a good online experience for consumers gives retailers a great opportunity to maximise sales during the all-important Christmas period,” said Kelly.
Xmas phone image via Shutterstock
