New research released from eBay, which currently lists over 600,000 children’s toys, has found that as the big day fast approaches, parents across the country set aside an average of £153 per child and already have the presents wrapped up, with 77% of mums and dads tackling their Christmas shopping before the first advent calendar door was even opened.
The research has also found that the most organised parents in the country will have their feet up in the East Midlands over December, with 23% of parents from the region beginning their shopping more than three months ago. In comparison, it’ll be parents across Wales who will be making a last minute dash around the shops this month, with one in 10 parents surveyed from the country admitting to waiting until two weeks before the big day before even making a start on their shopping.
Those in the North East are set to splash out the most cash on presents for their children, with an average spend of £255, compared to parents in the South East who will be spending £125 on each child. The research also reveals that British children should expect to open an average of seven presents each this Christmas.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 British parents, found that optimistic children are trying their luck this Christmas with expensive technology items topping wish lists all over the country. 27% of children across the nation have asked for a tablet as their number one gift this year, whilst one in 10 asking Santa for a smartphone.
In contrast, when reminiscing about their childhood, British parents named a bicycle (25%) as their all time favourite childhood Christmas present, followed by LEGO, Scalextric and a Tiny Tears doll.
British parents name their top 10 favourite childhood Christmas gifts:
1. Bike
2. Lego
3. Scalextric
4. Barbie
5. Wendy House
6. Remote control car
7. Etch A Sketch
8. My Little Pony
9. Cabbage Patch Doll
10. Skateboard
To ensure the shopping process ran as smoothly as possible this Christmas, two thirds (63%) of parents carried out all their shopping online, with 21% selecting a click and collect option. One in 10 forward thinking mums and dads even requested an email Christmas wish list from their children so they could simply click through and buy.
Despite the wishes of children across the nation for a technology filled stocking, it seems parents will still be piling up toys under trees this Christmas, with sales of LEGO sets up 82% compared to this time last month. Sales of Furbys have also shot up by 93%, whilst sales of the popular Robo Fish toy have risen by more than double over the last month.
eBay spokesman, Steven Heywood, says; “With a huge selection of children’s toys currently listed on the site, eBay offers busy parents the perfect platform to get all their Christmas shopping done either on the go or in the comfort of their own home this festive season. And with eBay’s new partnership with Argos, the UK’s leading general merchandise retailer, which offers a Click and Collect service, it has never been easier for parents to get their Christmas shopping done in one go!”
ENDS
For more information please contact the eBay press office at Shine Communications on:
eBayteam@shinecom.com or 020 7100 7100
*Research conducted by One Poll with 2,000 UK residents, November 2013
Notes to editors:
eBay delivers one of the world’s largest online marketplaces to customers via any connected device, connecting people with the things they need and love. Founded in 1995 and opening in the UK in 1999, eBay has almost 19 million unique visitors per a month in the UK and Ireland. Around 70% of listings are for new, fixed-price items and the UK site is home to more than 100 top brands and retailers.
eBay, Inc. enables commerce by delivering flexible and scalable solutions that foster merchant growth through its eBay Marketplaces, PayPal and eBay Enterprise brands. For more information visit www.ebayinc.com