CRAFTY CHRISTMAS DECORATORS ENSURE IT WILL BE ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT

Bookmakers may be offering odds of up to 10/1 on snow falling this Christmas Day for most of us but enthusiastic crafters and hobbyists have been busily making preparations to guarantee themselves a white Christmas.

Halfords has seen a surge in the sales of white paint over the past month as customers have purchased the product in far greater volumes that anticipated - exceeding last Christmas’ figures by around 5%.

The resurgence of the colour white follows several Christmases of unremarkable sales for the colour but this year its popularity has relegated traditional festive favourites red, green and gold to second, fifth and sixth most popular colours.

Moving up from the number sixth and eighth spots last Christmas to third and fourth respectively this year are silver and blue – a colourful combination whose rise may in part be explained by the success of the Disney film Frozen.

Halfords paint expert Dave Swaysland explains: “Whilst Christmas undoubtedly brings out people’s creative side, we believe many more crafters have been inspired to create original festive decorations and theme their parties this year by programmes like Handmade Britain and the hugely successful film Frozen.”

“We sell millions of cans of paint a year and look for colour trends as well as what might be driving them so that we can ensure we have sufficient stock to meet future demand.

Halfords is best known among motorists as provider of paint and bodywork repair solutions for when their car has a scratch or dent. However, its popularity among craft Christmas decorators has been growing since Blue Peter first showed them how to make a mobile from two coat hangers and piece of tinsel.

If you’re thinking about creating some original decorations of your own or wondering how to give a party you’re hosting a theme, consider making it yourself rather than buying off the shelf. Halfords stores are open 9am-5pm Christmas Eve, 9am-6pm Boxing Day, and 9am-5pm New Year’s Eve.

ENDS

Media contact:

Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager, T: 01527 513410, E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk

Chloe Stewart, PR Coordinator, T: 01527 513315, E: chloe.stewart@halfords.co.uk

Editor’s Notes:

About Halfords plc

Halfords is the UK's leading retailer of automotive products and aims to enhance customers’ use of their vehicles by ‘Supporting the Drivers of Every Car’ and ‘Equipping Families for Their Leisure Time’.

Through around 300 Halfords Autocentres we are also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operators - delivering dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and servicing to motorists at affordable prices.

Halfords stores sell around 9,000 retail products, increasing to around 160,000 online - encompassing significant ranges in car parts, in-car technology, child seats and roof boxes.

Customers are able to shop at 465 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland or order online and choose to either collect from their most convenient store or a home delivery.

Halfords employs approximately 11,000 colleagues who are trained to offer expert advice and 8,000 of which help to deliver a while you wait fitting service for consumables including bulbs, blades and batteries as well as child seats and in-car entertainment systems.

For more information visit www.halfords.com or www.halfordscompany.com