UK : Cosmetics & clothes to be among top five Christmas gifts this year

Christmas is the most significant event in the UK's retail calendar with many outlets making up to 60 percent of their annual turnover between November and January. This Christmas is no different and is shaping up as a vital time for the retail sector. Here's why:
It is estimated that 33 billion will be spent in December, an increase of 6 percent from 2005.
The amount spent in the two weeks leading up to Christmas is estimated to rise by 8 percent to over 15 billion.
The amount specifically spent on Christmas purchases is estimated to increase by 10 percent to just over 11 billion.
This year, each person will spend an average of 390 on Christmas gifts, up 18 percent on 2005. The most popular gifts this year are music and clothes, with gift vouchers, books and cosmetics and fragrances all making it into the top five. The top children's toy is predicted to be the "Bratz Forever Diamondz".
On average, each household will spend approximately 163 on food and drink, up only 2 percent since 2005. This pushes the average cost of the Christmas lunch up to almost 14 per head from 12 in 2005.
It is estimated that more than 10 million turkeys will be sold this year, worth almost 400 million. The average will weigh 12lb and cost up to 60.
Christmas day costs approximately 975 per household. Based on a 12-hour day this works out at 1.35 per minute, and 81.27 per hour.
Approximately 7 million Christmas trees will be sold this year, worth an estimated 245 million.

An estimated 160 million worth of Christmas decorations were imported into the UK during 2006 to meet consumer demand, with each household spending an average of 25 a year on decorations.
According to Verdict, 4.5 per cent of total Christmas spending will be done online.
Commenting on Christmas 2006, BRC Director General, Kevin Hawkins, said:
"These are encouraging predictions for the retail sector after a tough year which has seen a slump in consumer confidence, escalating costs and falling prices. The high street is definitely eager for a boom Christmas.
"Christmas is by far the most important time of the year for many retailers and it is also the best indicator of how confident consumers are heading into the New Year. I think sales figures this Christmas will give us a genuine read on the state of economy in the short term."