UK shoppers set to spend more this Christmas compared to last year

Online shopping is expected to be the main driver of retail growth this Christmas

Sales made on the high street are expected to drop by 2.5 per cent this Christmas (Getty Images)

British consumers are expected to put Brexit uncertainty aside this Christmas and increase their spending over last year, a survey suggests.

British families will spend an average £821.25 on gifts, food and drink and decorations, up 1.3 per cent on last year and 54 per cent more than the European average of £532, according to figures from VoucherCodes and the Centre for Retail Research (CRR).

Adults will spend an average £244 each on gifts, up 1.3 per cent on last year and 51.5 per cent more than the European average of £160.82.

Online Christmas spending is expected to be 11.8 per cent up on last year, and is now the main driver of retail growth, CRR said.

However, these gains are expected to be increasingly at the expense of the high street, with sales in physical shops expected to drop by 2.5 per cent in the UK.

Paul Lewis, senior director of marketing at VoucherCodes, said: "Despite ongoing economic uncertainty with Brexit and rising inflation, it seems Brits are still happy to splash their cash to make the most of the festive season, with spend across all major categories seeing a year-on-year rise."

Opinium surveyed 2,005 UK adults online between 12-17 October.

PA