One in three people have already started Christmas shopping, survey suggests

Just under a third (32%) of people have already started shopping for Christmas, a survey has found.

The research, carried out in August, found keeping costs down is the main reason why people started shopping in advance.

Gifts, cards and wrapping paper are the items most likely to have already been purchased, according to the survey of 2,000 people from American Express.

Despite many households being under financial pressures in the uncertain economy, the majority (60%) of people surveyed plan to spend the same on Christmas compared with previous years.

More than a quarter (28%) intend to spend less and 12% expect to splash out more this year.

With 100 days left until Christmas Day, people still have plenty of time to tick items off their festive shopping lists.