Average stocking shrinks over last decade while computer games replace books

Research released today by parcel service Collect+ reveals that the average number of presents in a child’s Christmas stocking has fallen over the last decade.¹ Shedding light on the modern family Christmas, Collect+, which allows shoppers to collect and deliver parcels from their local corner shop, has found that children today receive an average of 12 presents in their Christmas stocking compared with a high of 17 presents a decade ago. However, stockings are still double the size they were fifty years ago.

Over the last half century, puzzles and chocolate have remained perennially popular choices for Santa to stuff stockings with. However, books, traditionally a top three present, have been overtaken by clothing and electronic toys in recent years. This Christmas, after edible items, children are most likely to be pulling DVDs and video games from their stockings.

The research also reveals how the search for the must-have gift has become less stressful thanks to the impact of online shopping and a wider choice on the high street. In contrast to their experience as a child, when over half (57%)of adults recall missing out on the ‘must have gift’, today’s parents believe online shopping is the top factor in making present buying less stressful, closely followed by a wider choice on the high street and simpler returns processes.

Mark Lewis, CEO of Collect+ (the joint venture between PayPoint and Yodel), comments:

“Even though times are tight and high streets slippery with ice, home shopping via the internet and catalogues means more children than ever will find Santa has delivered a stocking packed with surprises this Christmas. The internet makes it easier for everyone, from elves to elderly relatives, to find the perfect present for a loved one, whilst innovative delivery services and effective returns ensure fewer tears on Christmas morning than ever before.”

Stocking contents and size, compared to 50 years ago:
 

¹ Figures taken from research carried out by Populus on behalf of Collect+. 2000 consumers were polled in November 2010

Secret Santa

The survey finds that almost two thirds of presents (61%) are stashed away from children’s prying in a cupboard, and around a quarter (24%) in the loft. A dedicated fifth (22%) go so far as to store gifts in inventive places such as a neighbour’s house or a shed to prevent children from discovering the loot. This is especially true in Wales and the South West, where a neighbour’s house is the hiding place of choice for secretive parents. This compares to three-quarters of respondents in Scotland who like to keep the presents out of a reach in a cupboard.

The slimmest stockings this Christmas are to be found in the Midlands with an average two fewer gifts than children from the North of England, who can expect to receive 14 presents in their stocking this year. However, it is Scottish parents who are most likely to remember the bitter sting of tears from missing out on the ‘must have gift’, such as this year’s Buzz Lightyear, when they were younger because it was too expensive.

Dan Rubel, Woolworths.co.uk Marketing Director said:

“There’s been a huge rise in electronic toys over the past decade but traditional favourites such as Lego remain ever popular. This Christmas, at Woolworths.co.uk, we are anticipating that out of the thousands of toys we have available online, Buzz Lightyear will be the most popular gift for children. Finding the ‘must have gift’ can be stressful for parents, but our online superstore is currently offering speedy deliveries and free returns on online orders, hopefully making Christmas shopping easier than ever.”

-ends-

For more information or to set up a personal briefing with Mark Lewis, please contact the Collect+ PR team at the Red Consultancy:

0207 025 4980 / collectplus@redconsultancy.com

Notes to editors

About Collect+

Collect+ is a delivery and returns service giving online shoppers greater freedom and flexibility with the choice of collecting and dropping off parcels at local convenience stores.

With 98% of Collect+ outlets open seven days a week and, normally, early in the morning until late at night, the service offers online shoppers the option to pick up or drop off purchases at a time and place convenient to them. 75% of the UK population lives within a mile of a Collect+ store in urban areas, and five miles in rural areas.

Collect+ services are securely delivered Yodel (formerly Home Delivery Network), which has 90 years delivery experience, carrying 300,000 items a day, and the retail payment network PayPoint, which handles over a million financial transactions each day through simple, staff operated terminals located in a nationwide network of 22,500 shops.

This backing gives Collect+ a mass of experience in logistics, fulfilment and retail as well as making the company entirely scalable in line with client need or in response to seasonal peaks. A number of leading retailers such as Woolworths.co.uk, ASOS, Boden, New Look and Very, are using the Collect+ service to provide more a more convenient service to consumers.

About PayPoint

PayPoint is a leading international provider of convenient payments and value added services to major consumer service organisations in the energy pre and post-payment, housing, water, telecoms, media, financial services, transport, retail, e-commerce, gaming and public sectors.

PayPoint deliver payments and services through a uniquely strong combination of local shops, internet and mobile distribution channels and handles over £10 billion annually from almost 570 million transactions annually for more than 6,000 clients and merchants.

Retail networks

The PayPoint branded retail network in the UK numbers over 22,000 terminals located in local shops (including Co-op, Spar, McColls, Costcutter, Sainsbury’s Local, One Stop, Londis and thousands of independents). Collect+, a joint venture with Yodel, formerly Home Delivery Network Limited, provides a parcel collection and drop off service at more than 3,400 PayPoint retailers. Its ATM network numbers more than 2,400 ‘LINK’ branded machines across the UK, mainly in the same sites as PayPoint terminals.

In Romania, the branded retail network numbers over 5,000 terminals located in local shops, processing cash bill payments for utilities and mobile phone top-ups. In Ireland, over 500 outlets in shops and credit unions process mobile top-ups and bill payments.

Internet

PayPoint.net is an internet payment service provider linking into all major UK acquiring banks to deliver secure online credit and debit card payments for over 5,500 web merchants. It offers a comprehensive set of products ranging from a transaction gateway through to a bureau service and FraudGuard, an advanced service to mitigate the risk of fraud.

PayByPhone

PayByPhone is a leading international provider of services to parking authorities allowing consumers to use their mobile phones to pay for their parking by credit or debit card. It has contracts in the UK, France, Canada and the USA.

PayPoint is widely recognised for its leadership in prepayment systems, smart technology and consumer service.