Brits are most likely to reach “peak Christmas panic” on 20th December – 2 days earlier than last year.
As Christmas approaches, the days for grocery shopping, gift buying, and opportunities to visit the grandparents slip away as festive panic begins to mount among Brits.
And according to analysis from courier service Gophr, the height of Christmas panic will hit the nation on the Friday before the big day (20th), two days earlier than last year’s peak of the 22nd.
Coined “National Day of Christmas Panic”, the 20th December will represent the height of Christmas chaos and panic due to:
As of 2nd December, there was no availability for Christmas delivery slots from the 20th of December for several major supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and Morrisons.
Planned essential engineering works to National Rail services are set to take place from the 21st of December, with people frantically trying to get home for Christmas up and down the country on the 20th as a result.
Last year, 16.1 million cars were reported to hit the roads in the UK on the final Friday before Christmas, commonly known as “Frantic Friday.” This year, that Friday falls on the 20th of December.
Additionally, Gophr is expecting more than a 56% increase in the number of delivery journeys it will make on Friday 20th December (vs daily average), marking the last realistic day for delivery before Christmas day. Those who’ve left it too late will have to brave the shops on Super Saturday (21st December) in order to get those last-minute Christmas gifts in person.
Seb Robert, founder and CEO of Gophr, commented: “Every year, we tell ourselves we won’t leave Christmas preparations to the last minute, but every year, we don’t listen.
“It’s no surprise to see that peak Christmas panic sets in on the final Friday before Christmas, when grocery delivery slots are scarce, travel routes are at their busiest, delivery options are quickly running out, and everyone begins to hit the high street.”
To determine the ‘National Day of Christmas Panic’ for 2024, Gophr’s analysts examined data such as grocery delivery slots from major UK supermarkets, train timetables, historical RAC and AA travel patterns for the festive season, and Gophr’s own delivery records.
Robert concluded: “A broader choice of delivery options can of course mitigate some of this panic, with many consumers looking for faster options to ensure that they get their products in good time, leaving more time for merriment and less time for stressful shopping and travel.”