Directory inquiry operator: Christmas spending 'up on 2008 figures'

Statistics from 11850’s October call variance report suggests that festive spending is already in full swing and may even be up on 2008 figures.

Preparations have begun much earlier this year as requests for numbers for artificial Christmas trees (+73.33%) and real Christmas tree suppliers (+200%) have increased on October last year.

According to Susan Branchflower, Chief Executive, 11850: "The nation is very organised this year in terms of Christmas present preparations. Number requests for Shopping Centres (+20.01%) and Gift Shops (+11.11%) have both increased on October 2008."

Rather than paying high prices for food this Christmas, many appear to be going to the source for their festive foody goods, with requests for Co-operative Shops (+31.25%), Cash & Carry Wholesalers (+35.58%) and Seafood Suppliers (+32.35%) all increasing on last year.

Unsurprisingly, it appears businesses will be cutting back this year on events and gifts, with requests for function rooms (-36.19%) and corporate gifts (-6.25%) tumbling on October ’08.