Climate crisis makes little impact to Christmas spending

Over half of those surveyed (55%) said environmental issues made little or no impact on how they will shop this year, according to data from media agency Mindshare.

Only 7% said they would plan to buy from brands with green credentials, 5% will buy more experiences than gifts, 7% plan to make gifts and 13% said they will use recycled Christmas cards and gift wrapping.

Despite ongoing food waste issues, only 23% plan to buy less food this Christmas to help reduce waste and 17% will source products from local stores.

There is however a difference in shopping habits and shoppers age. Seventy per cent of shoppers aged 55 and over said environmental issues will have little or no effect on the way they buy gifts whereas 62% of 18-34-year-old customers said it will affect the way they shop.

Mindshare head of research and insights at Julia Ayling said: “[Our research] has provided us with some key audience insights into people’s shopping habits around Christmas.

“It’s clear that although Christmas is still a time of indulgence and splashing out for many, environmental concerns are beginning to resonate around this period, with younger shoppers, in particular, starting to change behaviours.

“The research reveals how important it will be for retailers to expand their environmental credentials, with these expectations likely to grow, with more consumers seeking out gifts with less packaging and lower environmental impact in the years to come.”