8 Million1 get behind the wheel in search of a bargain

• 16 per cent1 of UK adults will drive to the sales this Boxing Day clocking up 209 million miles
• Peak time for travel will be in the morning, with half of Boxing Day bargain hunters getting behind the wheel around mid-morning

• Bargain hunters to spend in excess of £28.5 million driving to sales

• 23 per cent of UK adults are  intending to do most of their shopping online due to the high cost of driving

New Research from Green Flag Breakdown reveals over 8 million UK adults are set to hit the roads on Boxing Day in search of a post-Christmas bargain. In news that will be welcomed by retailers, this figure is set to be an increase on last year when 7.12 million drivers hit the roads in search of a sales bargain. In total, fewer than 15 million (29 per cent) people are planning to brave the shops this Boxing Day.

The average driver will clock up 25 miles on a round trip to the sales. In total, Boxing Day shoppers will clock up over 209,000,000 miles driving to the sales at a cost of over £25 million3.

Peak time for travel will be 10.30 am with over half of drivers (56 per cent) heading out around mid-morning.  However, there will also be millions of early birds who will be out to catch a post-Christmas discount, with 18 per cent of drivers heading off to find a deal in the Boxing Day sales before 9:00 am.

However, not everyone is keen on leaving the house for sales this year with almost a quarter (23 per cent) of UK adults are intending to do most of their sales shopping online due to the high cost of driving.

Mike Bowman, Director of Green Flag, said: “Boxing Day sales are now a national institution alongside Christmas and New Year celebrations. We anticipate that the roads will be extremely busy and recommend people consider leaving early on Boxing Day to miss the post-Christmas crush on the roads. Drivers should also take care in winter weather driving conditions to make sure they reach their destination safely.”

Londoners are the most likely to head out shopping on Boxing Day with two fifths (42 per cent) intending to brave the sales. Those in Northern Ireland are most likely to drive to shopping venues with a quarter (24 per cent) of residents taking to their cars in search of a bargain. Residents from the East of England are the least likely (11 per cent) to jump in their cars in search of a Boxing Day bargain.

Table one:  Regional Boxing Day sales figures

Source:  Green Flag Breakdown

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1) Opinium Research interviewed a sample of 2001 UK adults (18+) between 8th November – 12th November 2013. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

16% of 50,371,000 UK adults (18+) ONS

2) Opinium Research interviewed a sample of 2011 UK adults (18+) between 30th November – 3rd December 2012. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

3) Average MPG: Car fuel data (Gov.uk) Euro Standard 5 and 6 – 43.86 MPG

Fuel Price: ONS Monthly and annual prices of road fuels and petroleum products – November prediction 129.89.

National journey cost calculation: (209,010,701 miles/43.86 MPG) X 129.89p per litre = £28,139,334.38

209,010,701 miles in a round trip, assuming answers to Q8 is one way only.

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Simon Henrick

Green Flag Press Office

Tel: 020 8313 5965

Mobile: 07833 166717

Email:  Simon.Henrick@directlinegroup.co.uk

Amrit Nijjer                              

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2803

Email:  amrit.nijjer@citigatedr.co.uk

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