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Consumers in the United Kingdom spent some 11.3 billion UK pounds (US$16.6 billion or 13.2 billion euros) with their Visa-branded debit cards during what the card brand calls the "early part of the Christmas shopping season," a 7% increase from the same period last year. The card brand defines the early shopping season as lasting from 30 Oct. to 26 Nov. Online spending with Visa debit cards reached nearly 2 billion pounds, a 30% increase over last year. Online spending accounted for about 17% of all spending with Visa debit cards during the period. The number of online debit card transactions this year increased 33%, while the number of all debit card transactions increased 12%, Visa says. A spokesperson for the card brand declined to release specific figures. UK consumers using Visa debit cards spent 35% more on utility bills this year than last year, though the spokesperson declined to provide figures. Debit card spending in bars, pubs and nightclubs increased 22% this year compared to the same period last year, Visa says.
