The credit crunch hasn’t dampened spending habits, according to Legal & General, with consumers ‘in the mood to spend’ at the highest level for 2007 and up 3% from November 2006.

Julia Clayworth, Legal & General’s wealth management customer marketing manager, said: “It is really interesting to see that despite suggestions we are starting to feel the pinch, consumers are still getting into the Christmas spirit and spending with confidence.
“As these results relate to November, I’m pleased to see that people are quite sensibly looking to spread the cost of Christmas over a few months rather than leave it all to the last minute.”