A post-Christmas spending survey conducted by Consumer Reports revealed that U.S. consumers spent an average of $811 on gifts during the 2009 season, which was $112 “over budget” based on the results of its pre-Christmas poll. This first survey found that on average, shoppers planned to spend $699 per household on gifts. About one-fifth of respondents ended up spending $1,000 or more on gifts.

Consumer Reports found that overall, 81 percent of consumers purchased gifts, although this figure rose to 94 percent when households earning over $100,000 were factored in. Twenty-six percent of households earning less than $50,000 did not purchase Christmas gifts.

A chain of high-street shops on Monday launched a divorce gift list service amid a surge of married couples saying “I don’t” after the festive season.

In a twist on the popular wedding list, through which newlyweds receive presents to help them into married life, retailer Debenhams came up with a new list to help divorcees stock up after leaving their ex-partner’s home.

“Divorcing can be an expensive time and registering for a Divorce Gift List means that family and friends can help the newly separated begin their new life,” said Peter Moore, head of retail services at the chain.

Thrifty fashionistas headed to Primark in their droves over Christmas with sales at the low-cost clothes chain up 19%.

Parent company Associated British Foods (AB Foods) said the strong year-on-year figure reflected an increase in selling space.

Sales were particularly strong in the UK and Spain.

“First quarter sales were 19% ahead of last year reflecting the increase in retail selling space and very good like-for-like sales growth, particularly in Spain and the UK, although sales in Ireland are seeing the effects of economic recession,” AB Foods said.

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- U.S. retailers ended up having a decent Christmas, with holiday sales at the high end of modest expectations as consumers let loose some pent up demand and retailers carefully managed inventories and promotions.

Retail sales rose 3.4% in December from the year before, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Combined with a 0.9% gain in November, retail sales rose 2.3% to $509.3 billion year-over-year for the two-month holiday period, to $446.8 billion, the Commerce Department said.

The National Retail Federation, which calculates its figures a bit differently, said retail sales during December and November increased 1.1% to $ 446.8 billion.