British retailers have suffered their worst Christmas in 10 years, a survey has said. Like-for-like sales in December were lower than in 2003 and only sales of food and drink showed real growth.
The fall in sales have been attributed to consumer caution and experts have warned of further tough times for many retailers in 2005.
Did you spend less this Christmas? Were you more cautious?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Your comments:
This year I spent very little on gifts. Nothing to do with interest rates or rip-off prices but just a personal rejection of the constant bombardment from retailers and general tat that we're encouraged to buy. I'm glad to say Christmas was no less enjoyable and I've still got money in the bank.
Martin, Ely
I spend about half of what I normally spend. Rising council tax, higher water and electricity prices, interest rates that went up a few times while my salary is frozen are the main reasons.
Matt, Plymouth
I spent far less. Mainly because I've started to realise that Christmas is meant to be about love and happiness not about rampant consumerism.
Josh Cooper, London, UK
 |  I did not use my credit card once  |
I set a budget before I start which I stick to. Everyone gets two presents - the main one and a tree present. No children to buy for, of course, which helps. All internet orders were delivered within three days. I never start shopping before December. I did not use my credit card once. Perhaps spending less is simply a sign that people had more control this year and are no longer conned into parting with money most of them don't have.
Jo K, Stansted
It's obvious people now have less money due to interest rate rises and also the general feeling of needing to rein things in. Wouldn't it be better if interest rates were lower and people had the money to spend in the economy rather than the banks and building societies swelling their coffers with it?
Richard, UK
Luckily I spent Christmas with my girlfriend and her family in Canada so I bought most of my presents over there.
Jack Judge, Leighton Buzzard
I don't know if I spent less on Christmas 2004, than on other Christmases. BUT, I start in January looking for Christmas/birthday presents. I always carry a list with me and when I am holiday, I also look for presents. Usually I am finished in October, and only purchase a few diaries in December. This year I went away for Christmas and only took a Christmas cake.
Lillian, West Ealing, London
| We donated some of the money we would have spent to charity |
My husband and I decided to forgo buying each other Christmas presents this year. Instead we donated some of the money we would have spent to charity, and went shopping in the sales afterwards to buy everything half price.
Jo, Manchester, UK Yes, we did. And we are glad we cut back. Christmas has become far too commercialised. You can celebrate Christmas with your friends and family without spending a fortune. It's a shame for retailers, I know, but the real meaning of Christmas is NOT to be found in the cash registers.
Louise, Maidenhead
Yes. Why? Because I have less money to spend on presents due to the massive rises in council tax, petrol, utility bills, TV licence, car insurance etc and a laughable wage increase that doesn't come close to matching the hike we face in modern living. Face it, Britain is just too expensive a place to live anymore and it will only get much worse.
James, England
I saw some shops (ridiculously) building up to Christmas as early as August, so perhaps the sales are getting more spread out throughout the year. I mean it's not as if Christmas is just December anymore, it's half the year!
Chad Winchester, East Sussex
The reason people have spent less and the retailers are suffering is because people do not have any extra money to spend any more, they are all maxed out on their credit cards and personal loans. In my London office most of the staff are bringing in sandwiches because they cannot afford to go out to get food from retailers anymore, We got hardly any extra pay after our appraisals this year yet we all have to find massive amounts of extra money for council tax, rail fares, bus fares, congestion charges etc etc.
Alan, Chelmsford, Essex
| Maybe there is a limit to how much people can buy and consume |
We spent a lot of money this Christmas and so did everybody else as the shops all seemed very busy. But the retailers still complain that it was not enough. So maybe there is a limit to how much people can buy and consume and maybe the shops should structure their businesses not to depend on a record breaking Christmas every year.
Chris Brown, London
For the past four or five years our extended family has agreed only to buy presents for the kids. As my sister's kids have got older they have expressed a wish to receive cash towards whatever interests them at the time (removing the stress of the older members of the family having to come to terms with the latest teen "must have" in order to find a suitable gift!). This also means there is more to spend on a memorable family get-together at a restaurant instead of having the added burden of cooking for the assembled multitude!
Andy D, Oxford, UK
I buy items throughout the year to avoid the siege mentality of people during December. I also do a big food shop during the first week in December and what I haven't got on Christmas Eve - I do without! I can't understand people who leave everything until last minute.
Jo Hodgson, Swindon, UK
| I resent being bombarded by adverts telling me that I should buy everything I can lay my hands on |
Although I am not a religious person, I do believe that the commercial aspect of Christmas has overshadowed what it is really supposed to be about. I resent being bombarded by adverts telling me that I should buy everything I can lay my hands on and then go out on Boxing Day and get a sofa on interest-free credit. I spent less because I stopped taking any notice of the adverts and shopped within my means.
Tony, Wakefield Spent more! The internet cost me money. Everything delivered either wrong, broken or after Christmas!
Robert, Chesham
Retailers and economists are talking about a "lack of confidence" being the reason behind poor retail sales this Christmas. However, I think it has more to do with shoppers becoming wise to the fact that everything is overpriced in the run up to Christmas and they might as well wait for the sales. Personally, I stayed away from the high streets and malls in protest at us all having Christmas rammed down our throats by retailers as early as September. I shopped online instead, without having annoying carols blasting in my ears! Retailers take note.
Steve Smith, Nottingham, UK
I've spent more this year. However I'm never worried if I spend more or less than past years. So long as I've got the right present for the right person.
Lee McGovern, Manchester
| If a newspaper can offer free DVDs and current artist type CDs every week it is inconceivable that they should cost what they do |
Perhaps we should all celebrate a more family style Christmas next year with token gifts and do the present buying once the big sales have started - then have the present based Christmas in January. That might make a few retailers and manufacturers review what they do, especially the CD and DVD manufacturers. If a newspaper can offer free DVDs and current artist type CDs every week it is inconceivable that they should cost what they do.
Bruce Henderson, Falkirk I completed all my shopping early (November) and did quite a bit of it on the net. I think people who do Christmas shopping later tend to spend more on inappropriate gifts.
Rex Lester, Chessington, UK
We have a system in my family where we only spend a max of �15 on each person. Also none of us see the sense in buying and eating stuff we wouldn't normally touch with a bargepole. So a cheap Xmas for us. We refuse to act like lemmings at this time of the year and prefer to spend our money on birthdays - special days to the individual. We're not Christians so Xmas means nothing to us.
Ruthie, UK
Definitely spent less. A growing family, less earnings and more outgoings - a simple equation of not enough cash and not willing to get into unnecessary debt. Very worried about Gordon Brown's tax plans following the election and lack of any job security. Going to concentrate on savings and eating into monumental mortgage.
Bryan, Glasgow, UK
| It's much cheaper overseas and generally much greater variety |
I spent much less this year as I bought all my Christmas presents gradually during the year whilst on overseas trips. It's much cheaper overseas and generally much greater variety. Here it's the same tired old high street shops with the same over-priced products everywhere you go. Boring.....
Chris, Dartford, Kent Spent about half what I normally spend. Combination of doing all of my shopping online, having less money to spend due to rising interest, tax and council tax rates. Also used the net due to congestion charge, price of parking in town and ease - lower prices are nice too!
James, London, UK
I gave cash to my nephews and nieces and a present to my mother and father. That's it as far as I'm concerned. The West cannot keep doing well economically at the expense of increasing personal debt.
Derek S, UK
I spent about the same on presents this Christmas as I did last Christmas. However, this time I bought many more alternative gifts from charities instead of the same old chocolates and 'smellies'. The sheep and goats went down really well - I think people are getting bored of the mass consumerism every year.
Claire, Bedford
After many years of watching prices being halved after Christmas when some of the presents were still wrapped, we decided to not buy most gifts until the sales in January or bought a lot cheaper off the internet. We saved a fortune.
Paul, Cleethorpes, UK
| The higher interest rates has dampened spending in my household |
I spent less, partially because my attention was on becoming a Dad (a late 18th December birth didn't leave much time afterwards). Another factor was increased mortgage costs - the higher interest rates has dampened spending in my household at least, and I'm hoping they don't increase further since my salary isn't increasing to match.
David, London With about-to-be-marrieds, students, soon-to-be parents, some on benefits and others feeling the mortgage and rising bills pinch, our family agreed a �10-15 limit on gifts this year, buying jointly where a good idea cost more, and had the best ever Christmas with nobody short of money or in debt afterwards.
Janet, Scotland
I spent far more than I usually spend on other people but a lot less on myself. This year there just hasn't been anything I really wanted or any deal that was good enough to interest me. What I have spent though has been online. The normal prices online are better than any January sale price.
Graham, UK
After rises in National Insurance, council tax and interest rates coupled with the painful hike in petrol prices and no pay rise, I had nothing left to spend for Christmas!
Wayne, Chertsey
As a student my family accept that I cannot afford to spend too much. The gifts they receive are directly proportionate to the money I have. This does not, however, make my gifts any less valued by the recipients. My family are not greedy and materialistic. It is the gesture of receiving a gift selected just for you that is the important part of presents.
S, Dundee
| I spent about half as much as I normally do as I didn't have the time to shop |
This was my first Christmas working after graduating, and this is the busiest time of year for us. So although I had more money to spend and a new niece to buy for I spent about half as much as I normally do as I didn't have the time to shop. I had to pick up my Mum's gift in my lunch hour on Christmas eve!
Bas, London
I saved a fortune, in money and damage to my nerves by shopping online. It beats me why shops offer the same products cheaper on their e-commerce sites and then whinge about fewer people going through their doors
David, Tadcaster, UK
Nope, spent the exact same, possibly more. One of the reasons I go to work everyday and slog my guts out is to enjoy certain times of the year. Buying gifts for friends and family at Christmas is an absolute pleasure but I never spend outside of my means and make sure I don't buy tat. It is annoying when you see presents half price on Boxing Day but it's supply and demand.
Dave, Hampshire, UK
I bought more but spent less by shopping on the internet. High street stores have become far too greedy and deserve all they (don't) get!
Gordon, Hampshire
I think the great British public are finally wising up. They are no longer falling for the marketing hype or putting up with shoddy goods or rip-off prices. People power will get us a better deal in the future.
Richard Bagnall, Cambridge, UK
| The internet has provided people with options for getting many of the things they want at better prices |
So, some retailers have had reduced profits? Shame, my heart bleeds. Did they lose money? No. The internet has provided people with options for getting many of the things they want at better prices, shops have to wake up to the fact that we are no longer bound by what we can find on the high street. And I'd hope that some of the fall in profits has resulted from people realising that Christmas is about being with the people that you love, not how much money you spend. My sympathies lie with the small single shops, the big chains have too big a market share, making them extremely powerful. It looks to me as though the shopper is making their feelings felt about this power...
Emma, Stockport, UK Definitely spent less. A growing family, less earnings and more outgoings - a simple equation of not enough cash and not willing to get into unnecessary debt. Very worried about Gordon Brown's tax plans following the election and lack of any job security. Going to concentrate on savings and eating into monumental mortgage.
Bryan, Glasgow, UK
I spent less this year than ever before by making most of my gifts by hand. What I didn't make I budgeted for each person and didn't go over. The only ones who got spoilt were my nephews and I'm allowed to do that!!!
Julia, Nottingham
Yes, I spent less. I also received less, and I'm glad about it. Not because of financial difficulty, but because I - and many others I know - have become tired of Christmas; tired of the forced jollity, tired of the commercialisation and the "necessity" to exchange presents which people neither need nor want.
Chris, London, UK
No, I think I spent a little more than last year, it doesn't matter though, for once in the year everybody is happy and civil and if it means spending a few pound I'll happily pay it!
Brendan, Belfast, N. Ireland
Not sure I spent less, I just spent more wisely. I tend to use most shops purely as showrooms before ordering off the internet for a fraction of the cost.
Tony, UK
Spent very little on Christmas this year, token gifts really. We are using the money to take a Mediterranean cruise in February.
Finnoula, London, UK
Why would I put myself through hours and hours of trawling round shops being pushed and shoved, when I can buy everything (including food and drink) on the internet from the comfort of my sofa in my nice warm home?
JC, Oxford
As I don't have any children I don't buy any Christmas presents, I stopped that about four years ago. I just wait for the sales and then buy what I want all for myself but it is fun watching all those fools buying as if there is no tomorrow. I'm never in debt to anyone.
Yvonne, Liverpool
| The profit made in December equates to the annual profit therefore reduced profit means reduced jobs |
I work for an independent retailer and we had a disappointing Christmas. Unlike other retailers we did not discount before Christmas as we feel this devalues the product. We used to go on sale mid January so as not to offend those customers that bought our product for Christmas, however, such is the consumer demand for reduced product we now have to go on sale straight after Christmas other wise we suffer as most people have spent up. Regarding stores ripping people off at Christmas I would like to point out two things. Firstly for many retailers the profit made in December equates to the annual profit therefore reduced profit means reduced jobs and thousands work in retail. Secondly it is the consumer that wants to spend at this time, as much as I wish I could force people to spend it, it still remains free choice!
David, Nottingham
Maybe the consumer spending age has passed its peak. There's no reason why we have to go out and spend more. Maybe people are finding that it doesn't make them happier.
SCH Smith, Crewe, UK
I've had it with High Street shops. They say the problem with buying online is that if you need to return it it's difficult. However this year I tried to return a duplicate gift to HMV - a shrink-wrapped DVD complete with receipt, and was told I couldn't get a refund, only swap it for another item from their shop. They should be doing more to get people to buy from them, not alienating customers.
Roy, London, UK
| I suggest that they get their web sites up-to-date |
I spent about the same this Christmas but the biggest bulk of it was spent online. If the high street shops want a piece of that then may I suggest that they get their web sites up-to-date showing the full range of their products instead of a pretty home page and nothing other than shop addresses and a few items for sale!
Pol, Hants From the commentary in the press during the run-up to Christmas, it seems that Internet shopping received a massive boost. Whilst the "Interweb shopping experience" seemed to be news to some, for the past few years I've either bought online or bought presents earlier (ever notice how a �4 sale item goes back up to full price during the Xmas rush?)
RJ, UK
I've spent much less this year due to the costs of everything rising out of proportion to my salary. (Private sector). Enjoyed Xmas far more this year though as it was more about the family then materialism.
Max Lewis, Cardiff, Wales
I generally buy presents through the year, as I come across them and also because I have to post them off to Oz and the States in Sept. I also bought more stuff on the Web because I find the shops unbearably hot and noisy and the parking costs in Sheffield are obscene.
Sally, Sheffield, UK
I'm not sure as I haven't had the credit card bill yet! However, I got talked into buying a new carpet and kitchen flooring in the sales so probably spent a lot more than normal after Christmas.
Roger, Stockport, Cheshire
I spent more at Christmas this year. I chose to do it abroad however where prices are reasonable.
Richard, UK
I spent less on presents and cards. Although I now have a better job than last year, I have had less spare money. I hand-made cards which saved money and gave me an enjoyable task to do. People really appreciated the time spent and as I used 'used' materials I wasted less of the earth's resources.
Katharine Friedmann, Leicester, UK
We bought ours throughout the year, usually online, to spread the load. That apart, we spent the same as usual.
Iain, UK
I spent more this year and don't see the problem with spending a lot at Christmas. My family and my wife's family are very generous all year round with free babysitting and presents. Why not spend a bit extra on them.
Alan, Scotland
| There is just nothing interesting to buy and the shopping experience has become an endurance test |
Contrary to a lot of posts here, I don't think the fall is sales is due to any shortage of money. There is just nothing interesting to buy and the shopping experience has become an endurance test. I for one spent a great deal more money staying in Paris via Euro-star instead. Far more satisfactory.
Alex Morgan, UK Since shops started their Christmas promotions in September - is it any wonder why like for like December sales are falling. Perhaps if shops sold their Christmas stock in late November, then their November & December Christmas sales would be higher. Consumer caution is more likely to be consumer awareness that most of the shops rip off customers in December only to discount the prices in January.
Phil Daw, Cardiff UK
I spent less this year...not because I couldn't afford to spend more, but because I made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of "stuff" my kids receive over the festive period! I did all of my shopping online, which enabled me to select what I wanted, rather than going out to the shops, looking for one thing, but coming away with something else too. Add to this the stress-free environment that my shopping was done in, and the fact that shopping online can be cheaper in almost all departments...and I managed to cut down on my spending quite a lot this year. But it was purely through choice.
JB, Essex, UK
My wife and I enjoyed our first Christmas together since being married and setting up home earlier last year. I have seven brothers and sisters who have also married and set up home and I have 11 nieces and nephews with two more on the way. My family wisely devised a plan where we would all put the same amount of money into the pot and be assigned to buy for specific people. It worked well, and instead of getting 20 pairs of socks and five boxes of chocolates, we received one very nice, valuable gift. Instead of spending easily �2000 each of us buying for everyone, only �250 was put in the pot. We joke that our family's cut back alone probably accounted for the worst retail figures in 10 years!
Nathan, Cornwall
| Retailers only have themselves to blame |
Retailers only have themselves to blame - I could have spent far more in the shops but chose not to waste money on the overpriced rubbish that was on offer. I made most of my Xmas purchases on the internet - if shop sales were sluggish why weren't prices reduced ? Consumers are fed up with being ripped off in Britain's high street
M Munro, Bristol, UK We spent a lot less this year. I have just set up my own business and the cost of red tape and Government stealth taxes has drastically reduced what we can spend.
Chris Parker, Buckingham
Good - I'm glad retailers suffered. Perhaps next year they will think twice before stuffing the shops with worthless goods on the basis that the UK public in order to cream more profits. The UK needs a better profile of expenditure and a return to perhaps giving less, more meaningful presents reflecting the spirit of Xmas rather than any old tat the shops can flog!
John, Watford, UK
Who in this country needs anything? Most of us don't and I for one would not run up huge debts to buy junk for friends, relatives or children most of whom actually don't need anything. We (UK) have one of the highest standards of living in the world. This year we persuaded family to give to Christian Aid and other charities. To give to those who actually do need. Perhaps the retailers should take that on board and give some of their normally increased Christmas sales to the truly needy. Perhaps the public is feeling the same. And how many of us could justify wasting money on clothes and such when millions of people had lost everything.
Peter, Cambridgeshire UK
We spent less on each other this Christmas. Presents were based on each others lists of what they actually wanted. Average spend was between �10 and �20 because we were all conscious that prices would tumble after Christmas. Maybe this year we will buy vouchers.
David R. Williams, Rugby, UK
I have spent less this Christmas but not through choice - I was laid-off.
Simon
| It is time house prices were index linked |
The fall in spending power over Christmas due to the spiralling house costs, is to blame. People just don't have enough available cash because they have to put so much money nowadays into the mortgage. It is time house prices were index linked, and get these costs under control.
Martin, UK British car park prices are sky high. Buses are so expensive. Therefore I'd rather stay at home and shop online and let Royal Mail do all the legwork. And I spent less as the goods can be found cheaper.
Paul C, Whitley Bay, UK
Definitely. We try to buy presents for people throughout the year as we see it, mainly to spread the cost, but also to get the right present for each person. The cost of Christmas food and drink was spread between the family and helped by saving reward points. We have had to be careful because the tax load, fuel costs and general cost of living has gone up while wages haven't (and we lost my wife's income when she had our twins in Feb).
Duncan P, Hampshire, UK
I always spend loads at Christmas and I think that it's great. I don't tend to buy people birthday presents and apart from Christmas the only other time anyone gets anything from me is for Easter. I adore Christmas and would hate to have to budget it. It's once a year and I am already counting down to the next one.
Craig , Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
After struggling with my credit card after last Christmas I planned this Christmas better: I reduced the number of people I bought stuff for, bought my stuff exclusively on the net and started my present buying in October so I could spread the cost and missed some of the inflated prices.
Francisco, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Yes, I did spend less at Christmas, I also didn't spend what I couldn't afford, that is I didn't put anything on a credit or store card or go over-drawn
Tim, UK
Yes, without a doubt. Last year an expected bonus of �15k before tax, failed to materialise. An unexpected moving of the goalposts re figures. Consequently we had to pull our horns in. We saved for Christmas and only spent what we had saved. The majority of it went on entertaining friends and family at our home. We haven't eaten out for over six months and do not intend to for at least another two or three months. We only buy clothes when we need them at the moment. This seems to be the norm in our peer group at the moment, and if you extrapolate that things are looking pretty grim for retailers. We earn approx 80k between us.
H, Surrey
I spent more. Having had a good year, my friends and family received more gifts than in previous years.
Steven Hill, Edinburgh, UK
| Because I bought all my gifts online, I didn't get tempted to buy little extra gifts |
I spent less this year, by actually sticking to the budget I set and because I bought all my gifts online, I didn't get tempted to buy little extra gifts for anyone.
Clare, London, UK I spent a lot less this Christmas. Due to the increase in my mortgage payment during 2004, I had no choice but to be careful. I purchased all Christmas presents over the internet and the television shopping channels. The only shops I went to during December was the supermarket where I only purchased food.
De, West Drayton, Middlesex
Yes - and I intend to spend less next year too. Christmas is a time for family and friends to come together and I resent retailers working to make a profit from a religious and family celebration.
Steve, London
Yes, I had a budget Christmas this year. I only sent Christmas cards to close relatives, and had a budget of �150 for Christmas presents, which I was well under. I also did not spend any money on normal Christmassy things like extra food and drink, decorations etc. This was because I moved home on 20 December, so
a) was completely skint after being ripped off by solicitors, estate agents and stamp duty and,
b) spent Christmas morning building furniture and unpacking, so didn't expect nor intend to have a very festive Christmas!
Emma, Leeds
My wife and I, having our married Christmas, agreed not to spend a single penny on each other. And we both stuck to the plan. All relatives and friends had fixed, tight budget. We spent our Supermarket loyalty points for our Christmas food and drink and had a fantastic, inexpensive Christmas. We've vowed to continue this every year and refuse to take part in the Great British Retail Christmas Rip-off.
Jim, London
Definitely did. I am expecting my baby in Jan and have to watch the pennies. Also, depended a lot on on-line shopping which was a breeze. I think the post-xmas sales are rubbish this year. If retailers expect people to spend at sales which only reduce unwanted items and old stock then they can expect poor results. Consumers are not fools.
Brenda, Bedford, UK
I certainly spent far less in the high street this year but I spent far more on internet shopping than I ever have before. No crowds, no queues and all done from the privacy of my computer. It seemed every time I wanted to purchase something, like a pink mini iPod, I had the choice of wandering from shop to shop trying to find one or spending half an hour online and having one ordered for next day delivery. It's not hard for me to see why people are spending less in the retail stores.
Steve Webster, Portsmouth, England
I spent less this year as I am fed up of paying full price for something which is then reduced by half the day after Christmas. Sorry to sound lacking in Christmas spirit, but next year I will be buying vouchers for people to get their gifts half price in the sales.
Gavin, Wiltshire
I don't know if I spent less this year than last. However I did buy almost everything on the net - so much more pleasant than struggling with parking, crowds and then not being able to find what you are looking for. On the net if one place hasn't got what you want the next shop is just a click away.
Richard Moon, Bedford, UK
I did indeed spend less this Christmas - preferring to actually make gifts (pictures) for friends rather than spend money on a potentially pointless gift just for the sake of it. The amount of money we waste on utter rubbish during this period every year is embarrassing - especially when elsewhere people are dying for lack of mere basics.
Matt, Chelmsford, UK
At last! The British public are buying fewer pointless, useless and have to buy something presents. They can see that some presents will end up in charity shops, car boot sales and eBay. Lets hope the trend continues.
Helen and Matt, Leeds
We made our daughters their main present this year, as what they wanted is just not available to buy. So we spent less, but also spent hours of our spare time making it. For other things, we did make a semi-conscious decision to be restrained. We are now rather better off than the families we grew up in, and are aware that we can easily try and over-compensate for what we wished we'd had as children. We don't want to spoil our kids (too much, anyway). On the other hand, we tend to buy them things through the year, without waiting for Christmas or birthdays.
Jon G, Huddersfield, UK
This Christmas our family switched to the name out of a hat system, we wrote down all our names and then each one of us drew a name from the hat and bought that one person a present. Much better, it made the frantic search for presents less stressful and every individual got a better present.
Susanna, Suffolk, UK
An early payday lulled me into a false sense of security; I'm suffering now! It's only once a year though, so why not.
Iain, Poole
Yes and I gave that difference to the Tsunami appeal!
Emma, Aylesbury
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