New stats from price comparison site USwitch show that households across the UK are planning for a much more digital Christmas in light of Covid-19.
The Covid-19 pandemic has turned life on its head for most of us in the UK, with many office workers now using video calls and video conferencing tools for the first time. As we rapidly approach Christmas, the nation is also starting to accept that it too may have to be adapted to keep people safe this year.
New survey results from price comparison site USwitch reports that over half of UK adults (55%) are planning to video call family and friends this year to wish them a merry Christmas, twice as many as last year. While the UK government is considering making exemptions to allow families to meet over the Christmas period, many are still planning to avoid a big family gathering.
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Public activity around Christmas has already changed, with 86% of those surveyed saying they will be shopping online this year. Restaurants and public entertainment are expected to remain closed, so those surveyed expect to spend 31% more time watching Christmas TV and demand for new gadgets is rising sharply.
Around 24% of those surveyed admitted that they had only recently started having video calls since the first lockdown in March, many as part of working from home arrangements. The lockdown also led some people to buy online for the first time, leading this year to be the first in which over half (55%) of all Christmas gifts will be bought online.
Source: Written based on press release
