Beano Brain releases Million Pound Kids 2021 Consumer Spending Report, WHSmith still in Top Ten high street retailers for children

Beano Brain Million Pound Kids 2021 Consumer Spending Report

A new study released today by specialist kids and family insight consultancy Beano Brain reveals that children in the UK have squirreled away £38m over lockdown, waiting to be spent.

The research also unveils spending habits of Britain’s mini consumers, with 47% of their money being spent on the high street – and that includes purchases in high street newsagents, WHSmith. The retailer features in the report as one of the Top Ten most visited high street stores.

During recent lockdowns, initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we watched carefully as kids comics and magazines, including BEANO, battled bravely for shelf space against increasingly popular puzzle magazines in the Lancaster branch of WHSmith – a struggle presumably they faced elsewhere with less kids able to get to shops.

  • WHSmith Lancaster Children's Section July 2019
  • WHSmith Lancaster Children's Section November 2020
  • WHSmith Lancaster Children's Section March 2021
  • WHSmith Lancaster Children's Section April 2021
  • WHSmith Lancaster Children's Section July 2021

Of the 8000 British children surveyed, 24% have their own debit cards, having been set up with their own account aged 11 on average – just in time for secondary school.

Nearly two thirds of kids (63%) revealed they have their own money to spend as and when they want with 53% of those preferring to hold on to cash. Unsurprisingly, 34% of 11–14-year-olds prefer to receive cash over gifts.

The new consumer spending report, Million Pound Kids, available to download from Beano Brain, reveals that despite increasing web spending by other age groups, the high street rules supreme with restaurants and toy shops topping the list of products that British kids today are spending on.

Beano Brain Million Pound Kids 2021 Consumer Spending Report - Retailer Highlight

Amazon, Game and Smyths are the top three online shops that encourage children to part with their pocket money.

Recommendations have been revealed as the biggest influence on children’s spending choices with 46% admitting they have purchased something after a friend has already bought it. 43% said that scrolling through Amazon had influenced their purchases whilst in 1in 3 (33%) said that social video sharing app TikTok gave them shopping inspiration, only just behind TV ads at 34%.

As lockdown lifts, kids are keen to venture outside and make mini purchases of “everyday treats” of food and drink to keep spirits high (52%) whilst 45% are using their money for toys and collectibles.

Surprisingly, only 30% of kids are buying online gaming currency with their wealth.

Helenor Gilmour, Director of Insight at Beano Brain
Helenor Gilmour, Director of Insight at Beano Brain

Savvy to the world of online marketplaces, 17% of children have added to their own pocket money by making and selling things on the internet. In contrast, 16% of 7 – 14-year-olds confessed to getting money whenever they ask for it. 

Commenting on the report, author Helenor Gilmour, Director of Insight at Beano Brain said: “After a year of lockdown, online purchases have risen but kids have also rediscovered a love of the High Street.

“For these nascent shoppers being able to see their purchases, try them on, touch them and share with friends and family is really important. And although these modern mini-consumers can choose from debit cards, vouchers and gaming currency their preference is still cash which they are spending on small indulgences such as luxe-shakes, sweets, fidget toys and hair accessories preferably with their friends in tow.”

Beano Brain is a specialist insights consultancy from Beano Studios. Born from decades of experience with kids through the iconic BEANO comic, it now helps companies build their own connections with families using its unparalleled knowledge of Gen Alpha, Gen Z and their Millennial parents. It is on a mission to build an insightful and often untold view of kids, teens and their families to inspire innovation from brands and businesses.

• To download the full Beano Brain Million Pound Kids consumer spending report for free visit beanobrain.com

BEANO is on sale every Wednesday in high street newsagents – find out more at Beano.com

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