More than a quarter of shoppers say they will spend more on food and drink this Christmas compared to last year – with Londoners and 25 to 34-year-olds the biggest spenders.
New research from commercial insurer NFU Mutual showed 27% of those surveyed across the UK planned to splash more cash on food and drink this Christmas, more than twice the number of people who said they would be spending less (13%).
In a boost to the food and drink industry this festive period, the average spend came out at £239. However, this was substantially increased for those living in the capital (£343) and those aged between 25 and 34 (£355) and 35 to 44 (£299).
Those figures were also reflected in the demographics planning to spend more, with 45% of 25 to 34-year-olds parting with more money this Christmas, and almost one in every two Londoners saying the same.
Mayonnaise on a Christmas dinner
While the retail and hospitality sectors will have been well-stocked with Christmas food and drink essentials, some consumers are throwing spanners in the works with left-field Christmas dinner choices.
There was no surprise to see three-quarters of those surveyed saying their typical Christmas dinner would have roast potatoes, more than two thirds having gravy, and three in every five having pigs in blankets.
Cranberry sauce, unsurprisingly, won the battle of the condiments (38%), but NFU Mutual’s poll found that a shocking 8% of respondents would have tomato ketchup with their Christmas dinner, with the same number including mayonnaise with their turkey and trimmings. A staggering one in five 25 to 34-year-olds said they would have mayo on their Christmas dinner, and one in six from the same age range say they would have hot sauce, while more than one in five plan to have chips.
Looking at the youngsters surveyed, in a hit to Christmas dinner traditionalists, almost three-quarters of 18 to 24-year-olds say they wouldn’t include any gravy – yet 15% plan to have ketchup.
Hannah Binns, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “For those who celebrate it, Christmas is a great time to come together and enjoy the best our food and drink sectors have to offer. It’s great to see such large numbers of those surveyed saying they will be spending more on the festive produce and feeling they are able to splash out this Christmas.
“While some of the results of what consumers would have on a typical Christmas dinner may be slightly left-field, the staples come out firmly on top and, once again, it appears the Yorkshire pudding debate is dividing the country – with 49% saying yes and 51% saying no.”
