>>Key findings


Tesco 3133

Asda2020

Sainsbury1725

Morrisons810

Safeway719

Co-op323

Kwik Save39

Somerfield211

Waitrose 16

Other928


Tesco31

Asda 27

Sainsbury21

Safeway11

Morrisons11

Co-op8

Waitrose6

Kwik Save6

Somerfield4

Other 22

None of these 22


Longer queues at the checkout 75

Christmas stock hitting shelves too early 51

Items out of stock44

Other customers 31

Piped Christmas carol music30

Car parking29

Irritable shop staff14

Nothing3


Before September 1

September3

October6

November21

Beginning of December23

One to two weeks before Christmas 28

The last few days before Christmas 16

Christmas Eve1


Websites 37

Catalogues36

Tesco19

Asda19

Sainsbury12

Morrisons5

Safeway5

Co-op4

Kwik Save3

Waitrose2

Somerfield2

Other 42


Earlier 21

Later14

About the same time65


Asking people what they want64

Internet/websites35

Promotions/displays in store30

TV advertising/programmes20

General gift catalogues19

Store magazines picked up in store17

Leaflets/special offers through letterbox 16

Magazine advertising15

Charity catalogues9

Radio advertising 2

None of these7


Less than £1005

£100 to £24918

£250 to £49932

£500 to £74921

£750 to £99910

£1,000 to £1,4998

£1,500 to £1,9993

£2,000 and above2


Less 24 More 10The same 66
TescoAsdaSainsburyMorrisonsSafewayNone

Best for food/drink present ideas32 2726 9522

Best for food38 32 26 15 78

Best for alcohol33 32 18 12 718

Best for non-food ideas16 25 94253

Best for Christmas cards12 17 64 265

Best for Christmas wrap etc15 20 94158

Best for Christmas household items26 30 1374 36

Best for toys and games13 26 33160

Homewares33

Electronics5

Small domestic appliances18

None of these49


Coming up with present ideas55

The cost49

Having enough space in the fridge27

Early credit card bills20

Staying with other people10

Tolerating older relatives7

Having to eat Brussels sprouts5

The office party4


Presents56

Cards52

Wrapping and bows31

Food for main meals21

Christmas decorations18

Wine/champagne14

Chocolates11

Christmas pudding10

Beer10

Spirits9

Nuts7

Christmas cake6

Savoury snacks5

Where do you do your main shop? (%) And your top up shop? (%)

Which of these stores, if any, do you tend to shop at in the run-up to Christmas that you wouldn’t normally visit? More than one can be ticked. (%)

What most annoys you about Christmas shopping? (%)

When did you start or when do you plan to begin Christmas food shopping? (%)

In which areas will you shop for gifts and non-food that you wouldn’t visit under normal circumstances? (%)

Are you planning to start Christmas shopping earlier or later this year? (%)

Which of the following are the most important for inspiration? (%)

How much do you think your total Christmas shopping bill amounted to last year? (%)

Do you think you will spend more, less or the same on Christmas shopping this year compared with last year? (%)


To which retailers do the following statements apply? (%)

Which of the following are you more likely to buy from a supermarket than any other store? (%)

What are the most stressful things about Christmas? (%)

What do you tend to buy first? (%)