Brits already ho, ho, ho’d out, Klarna

Brits are becoming so stressed out in the extended run up to Christmas that they're exhausted when the big day arrives, according to new research from Klarna.

The company’s survey of 2,000 consumers found that, as a result of stress, one in ten are tempted to cancel Christmas altogether, whilst one in six want to escape on holiday, and it's shopping which is the major cause. Brits visit an average of seven online retailers, 11 High Street retailers and spend 7.2 hours Christmas shopping. 27% have previously walked out of a store in frustration, whilst 10% have stayed up all night buying presents online.

Luke Griffiths, UK General Manager at Klarna, comments: "Gift shopping for family and friends should be a pleasure, not a chore. But for many, the pressure we feel this time of year is getting the better of us, and Christmas cheer is being replaced by Christmas fear. At Klarna we're on mission to ensure shoppers have a smooth festive season by making it smoother to shop online. This could mean paying later in January 2018 or simply buying with just one click. With the ability to pay later, people can reduce the strain and concentrate on enjoying the holidays. With careful planning, buying online and making the most of flexible payment options, Christmas shopping can become one less stress for busy Brits this year."