The golden quarter is comming
Interestingly, 16% more consumers say they plan to start their Christmas shopping earlier this year, while 14% had already started shopping when PwC conducted its latest survey.
Are customers getting ready for Christmas earlier?
For retailers, the countdown to Christmas is already underway.
New research from PwC suggests that consumer sentiment has reached its highest level in five years, although the picture remains mixed as households continue to face potential increases in food and fuel costs.
Interestingly, 16% more consumers say they plan to start their Christmas shopping earlier this year, while 14% had already started shopping when PwC conducted its latest survey.
For retailers, that means the traditional Christmas rush may be becoming a longer trading period rather than a short December peak.
What does this mean for businesses?
Now is a good time to review the operational side of peak trading:
• Cash handling – Are your processes ready for increased transaction volumes?
• Collections – Do collection schedules reflect your busiest trading days?
• Security – Is cash being stored securely between collections?
• Staffing – Are teams prepared for increased activity?
• Contingency planning – What happens if normal operations are disrupted?
Preparing early can help businesses enter the busiest period of the year with greater confidence.
Source: PwC UK, Consumer Sentiment Survey – Autumn 2026.
For retailers, the countdown to Christmas is already underway.
New research from PwC suggests that consumer sentiment has reached its highest level in five years, although the picture remains mixed as households continue to face potential increases in food and fuel costs.
Interestingly, 16% more consumers say they plan to start their Christmas shopping earlier this year, while 14% had already started shopping when PwC conducted its latest survey.
For retailers, that means the traditional Christmas rush may be becoming a longer trading period rather than a short December peak.
What does this mean for businesses?
Now is a good time to review the operational side of peak trading:
• Cash handling – Are your processes ready for increased transaction volumes?
• Collections – Do collection schedules reflect your busiest trading days?
• Security – Is cash being stored securely between collections?
• Staffing – Are teams prepared for increased activity?
• Contingency planning – What happens if normal operations are disrupted?
Preparing early can help businesses enter the busiest period of the year with greater confidence.
Source: PwC UK, Consumer Sentiment Survey – Autumn 2026.