A significantly higher cost of living appears to have had little impact on the cost of gifting with Irish consumers set to spend almost €600 on presents for friends and family this festive season, according to research published this morning.
And when it comes to making lists of presents, vouchers, chocolates, beauty products, books and jewellery dominate planning, the survey carried out on behalf of Penneys suggests.
With 42 days to go until Christmas, the research carried out by Red C found that Irish consumers are set to spend an average of €582 on presents this festive season.
Some 60 per cent of those polled said they were actively considering giving vouchers this year, with 50 per cent saying chocolates would be front and centre.
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On 45 per cent, beauty products were in the bronze medal position just ahead of books on 44 per cent while jewellery was in fifth place on 38 per cent.
Bricks and mortar retailers are set to benefit from festive footfall, with 35 per cent of shoppers saying that they are more likely to do their Christmas shopping in-store this year.
Irish people are also keen to shop local with 62 per cent of shoppers hoping to buy gifts from Irish businesses and almost seven in 10 confirming that they plan to buy Irish food as much as possible for their festive feasts.
Almost a third of shoppers are also considering foregoing giving a gift entirely and making a donation to charity instead while 38 per cent are considering gifting an experience instead of a physical present this year.
The research from the fast fashion retailer has also revealed that the Irish public plan to be more environmentally conscious this Christmas, with just over a third of adults confirming they are considering purchasing more sustainable gifts.
A further 20 per cent of shoppers said they are thinking about gifting pre-owned items as gifts for loved one this Christmas.
When it comes to wrapping, 42 per cent of the poll of a nationally representative sample of 1,002 adults in the Republic are cutting back and likely to l either forego wrapping paper or reuse what they saved from last year.
Tapping into this trend, the Penneys paper bag has had a makeover, with the retailer suggesting its bags would double up as free and easily recyclable Christmas wrapping paper this year.
