Retailers are bracing for “Panic Weekend” (20-21 Dec 2025), the last shopping weekend before Christmas, with UK shoppers expected to splash 3.43billion on last minute purchases.

The data from VoucherCodes.co.uk suggests UK shoppers have left gift spending later than usual, owing to constrained budgets and the late Autumn Budget casting uncertainty.

As a result, it expects spending over Panic Weekend to increase +12.8% compared to 2024. Over the two days, 49.6million people are predicted to shop either in-store or online, equating to 10.3million more than the same weekend last year. 

“Consumers have been reluctant to spend so far this festive season, with economic uncertainty putting a dampener on festive sales,” said Moji Oshisanya, CCO at VoucherCodes. “However, as we edge closer to the big day, Brits will unleash their spending power.”

Super Saturday

With just five days left until Christmas, Super Saturday (20 Dec 2025) is set to be the most lucrative day in the week leading up to Christmas, with 26.5million people predicted to shop.

In just one day alone, £1.75billion is tipped to be spent on festive purchases, with the majority of spend (£1.31billion) coming from in-store sales, whilst a further £0.44bn will be spent online. 

This prediction is mirrored by Sensormatic’s footfall predictions, with Super Saturday expected to be the busiest day for store shopping of the entire Peak Trading season.

Historical data from the ShopperTrak Analytics platform spanning 2021 – 2024 also showed that for three of the last four years, Super Saturday has been the peak busiest day for store visits.  Last year on Super Saturday, footfall jumped +4.1% week-on-week as shoppers scrambled to pick up last-minute gifts, spurred on by retailers bringing forward Boxing Day discounts to drive up pre-Christmas demand.

Stampede Sunday

“Stampede Sunday” (21 Dec), as Vouchercodes has coined it, will see slightly fewer people shopping, with 17million braving the High Street.

As a result, sales will also be a touch lower than Super Saturday (£1.69billion) but still reaching £3.7million a minute. 

“For the retail industry, who have seen less than optimal sales so far, this is great news and a welcome boost to end-of-year numbers,” Oshisanya continued. “The challenge now is to make the most of the flurry of customers and sales. Whilst consumers will be spending, they’re actively looking for value and a saving where possible.”