Milton Keynes, UK, 2015-12-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Forget perfume, jewellery and gadgets, shoppers are more likely to be buying toilet roll holders, doorbells and curtain poles as they prepare their homes ready for visiting guests this Christmas, Homebase reveals.
Online searches at Homebase.co.uk revealed Brits thoughts in the two weeks running up to Christmas is not on present buying, but on last minute items to make their homes welcoming for guests coming for the festive season.
In addition to looking for Christmas trees and decorations, practical items people were looking for included rugs, shelves, and even doorbells, which were up 16 per cent on searches compared to in September, as homeowners look to make those last minute touches to their homes.
Some are so keen to impress their family and friends that they are even looking to buy a new dining table with searches up by 25 per cent compared to in September as people try to accommodate all family on Christmas Day.
Homebase Christmas Buyer Lindsay O’Neil, said: “We are house proud as a nation, and Christmas usually is the time we have most of the family round with many staying with us for a few days, so getting our homes looking great becomes the priority after the presents are sorted.
“We have also seen Christmas homewares have grown in popularity by around 30 per cent from last year. With Christmassy bedding and cushions being the most popular items. increase in demand this year for Christmassy duvet sets, cushions and throws compared to last year, which just shows people want to go the extra mile and make the spare room as good as a hotel room for guests.”
Interestingly online search results also revealed the outside of the home gets a makeover ahead of guests arriving. A new garden shed and even a pressure washer are a top last minute must have in the run up to Christmas, as the driveway and car get a deep clean prior to guests arriving.
Most searched for items before Christmas:
1. Toilet roll holder
2. Door bell
3. Dining table
4. Cushions
5. Shelves
6. Curtains poles
7. Wardrobes
8. Laminate flooring
9. Radiators
10. Duvets
11. Folding chairs
12. Shower screen
13. Axe
14. Skirting board
15. Bath panel
16. Tablecloth
17. Drill
18. Chainsaw
19. Shed
20. Rugs
Note to Editors:
For more information, images, pricing please contact the Home Retail Group Press Office on 0845 120 4365 or email media.relations@homeretailgroup.co.uk .
For hi-res images and to view the new Schreiber Home Collection lookbook, go the www.homeretailgroup.pressarea.com/
About Homebase
Homebase is a leading home enhancement retailer with around 58 million transactions a year, selling around 38,000 products for the home and garden. It has 271 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland and a growing internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk . In the financial year to February 2015, Homebase sales were £1.5 billion and it employed some 17,000 people across the business.
Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
SOURCE: Home Retail Group