1 May 2007
33.5 MILLION SHOPAHOLIC BRITS TO HIT DUTY FREE DURING MONTH OF MAY
33.5 million* Shopaholic Brits are set to spend an average of £50 each on everything from perfume and cigarettes to toothbrushes and condoms in a Duty Free shopping frenzy starting this Bank Holiday weekend.
[1 May 2007, Leeds] Beginning with May Bank Holiday, industry statistics are signalling May as one of the busiest months of the year for airport shopping. In a poll of 2,887 flyers conducted by www.streamthru.com, the service that sends free flight text information to mobile phones, has shown that more than half (55%) of travellers spend up to £50 each in the airport Duty Free shops before take-off, with 5% admitting to missing flights due to over-indulging in retail therapy!
As the May and its Bank Holidays approach and travellers prepare for a few days away, the industry is predicting that 33.5 million Brits will travel out of the UK’s airports during the course of the month, with the average flyer spending 23 minutes perusing Duty Free.
Women have come out on top as the biggest spenders with almost a third (30%) making a beeline for the perfumes and cosmetics counters followed by 17% who prefer to shop for clothes. For men, electrical items are the biggest draw with 20% stocking up on the latest gizmos and gadgets. One in ten travellers shop to replace their missing toothbrush with 13% needing to add knickers to their holiday attire and a cheeky 3% admitting to stocking up on condoms!
The survey also revealed that British adults now take an average of three flights per year and almost a third of travellers each year (32%) actually spend more money on duty free shopping than on gifts and souvenirs whilst on holiday.
Mike Atherton, Managing Director of Mantic Point, the company behind www.streamthru.com said:
“The month of May is a real peak time for travel in the UK with the two bank holidays providing extra opportunity for Brits to get away. We know that people purposely arrive early to check in and to spend money in the Duty Free shops. What has been most surprising from these results has been not only the range of items people are buying but also the fact that some will actually spend more in the airports than when they are away.”
www.streamthru.com is the first free service designed to provide up to date flight information directly to your mobile phone or other wireless devices.
Passengers can opt-in to the free service that spans all major UK airports by registering at www.streamthru.com. A few hours before the scheduled departure time StreamThru sends an SMS message confirming flight details, advising if the flight is likely to be on time or delayed. Approximately 30 minutes before departure the service then sends a reminder of flight details and boarding information.
Travellers also receive a maximum of two exclusive retail offers specific to the airport they are travelling from.
ENDS
For further information contact Claire Davis or Louise Vaughan on 0845 456 7251.
- A survey of 2,887 passengers was undertaken for Mantic Point from 1st – 14th February 2007 - indicative of the population
- Survey data revealed the average UK adult takes 2.8 flights a year.
- * Based on travel figures for May in 2006 and using the BAA statistic of 2.8% growth year on year – 33.5 million Britons will fly from UK airports during the month of May
- Survey results reveal that 59% of all flyers shop in Duty Free equating to 19.7 million shoppers during May
- For more information go to www.streamthru.com
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