UK consumers most likely to give unwanted gifts to charity

Undesirable Christmas presents are almost certainly to be donated to charity, in keeping with new analysis. Greater than a fifth of UK residents will hand their presents over to charity retailers, forward of these attempting to re-sell them on second-hand web sites.

Going down on the twenty sixth of December, the day after Christmas has lengthy been generally known as Boxing Day within the UK. The identify dates again to the reign of Queen Victoria, when a convention developed amongst rich households – boxing up presents to present to the poor. Boxing Day was additionally historically a time off for servants – and once they would additionally obtain particular Christmas field presents from their masters.

Greater than a century later, the custom continues to be intact – and never solely as a result of the day is a nationwide Financial institution Vacation. New analysis from KPMG means that most of the UK’s shoppers are additionally maintaining alive the day’s spirit of giving to these in want.

The Large 4 agency polled 3,000 folks from throughout the UK at the start of December 2023, and requested what they have been almost certainly to do with undesirable presents they acquired on Christmas Day. The preferred response was that they meant to present their presents to charity. Respondents within the north of England have been discovered to be essentially the most beneficiant on this regard – with 25% of these within the north-west saying they might give undesirable presents to a worthy trigger.

In distinction, there have been a couple of extra miserly Scrooges additional south. Within the south west of England, 21% of respondents stated they meant to promote their undesirable objects on second-hand web sites as quickly as doable – above the nationwide common of 17%.

The least common choice amongst UK shoppers was returning the undesirable presents on the retailer. For many who felt it might be unhealthy manners to ask their gifters instantly for the receipt, simply 4% stated they meant to try to return their present at a retailer. However the identical quantity additionally stated they meant to be blunt, and ask their gifter for the receipt to the horrible present they’ve given.

Commenting on the findings, Linda Ellett, UK head of shopper, retail and leisure for KPMG, stated, “Customers mostly saying they’ll donate undesirable Christmas presents to charity exhibits the festive spirit is alive and properly within the UK. Hopefully it will deliver a lift to charities, at a time when funding is challenged by the price of residing disaster, but their companies are in better demand than ever. Customers additionally inform us they’ll flip to second-hand web sites… These findings assist KPMG analysis that demonstrates the expansion of the round financial system – with one in three shoppers saying they’ll purchase extra pre-owned objects in 2024.”

KPMG has been working constantly to do its half for charity, too. The agency lately introduced it had raised over £1 million for Marie Curie, two years because the agency voted for a partnership with the end-of-life charity. Efforts to boost funds included a nationwide strolling marathon, which raised over £300,000.

Reflecting on KPMG’s survey findings, Ian Frise, head of retail at Marie Curie, added, “Shopper procuring habits have modified and persons are much more environmentally and finances acutely aware, with charity retailers enjoying a key position in the place they store. They’re treasure troves, locations you may choose up distinctive objects, in addition to model new prime quality objects. As the price of residing continues to chew, persons are turning into savvy consumers and we’re beginning to witness extra younger households go to our shops because of the huge array of things on the market. Premium high quality clothes all the time promote properly. However as we’re in winter, we’re at present on the lookout for luggage, jewelry and equipment, in addition to toys and video games.”