Children have attained the status of important consumers in their own right of products such as chocolate, crisps, sweets and toys. However, the increasingly sophisticated interests of children today mean that these traditional areas of children's spend have to compete with more 'grown-up' sectors such as clothes and mobile phones.

In order to examine these areas in greater depth, Mintel is for the first time publishing two Pocket Money reports. This report concentrates on non-food spending, and is complemented by the second report, which deals with food spending.

Children have attained the status of important consumers in their own right of products such as chocolate, crisps, sweets and toys. However, the increasingly sophisticated interests of children today mean that these traditional areas of children's spend have to compete with more 'grown-up' sectors such as clothes and mobile phones.

In order to examine these areas in greater depth, Mintel is for the first time publishing two Pocket Money reports. This report concentrates on non-food spending, and is complemented by the second report, which deals with food spending.

Nearly all children aged 7-10 have some form of regular weekly income with just 5% of this age group not receiving any. The majority (72%) receive this from their parents, but 42% receive money regularly from their grandparents. However, some 31% of children receive money from their grandparents and their parents. Only one in five of this age group earn money from chores or odd jobs. The group accounts for more than £400 million in pocket money.

Going shopping is becoming an acceptable leisure activity for teenagers, with around eight in ten 13-16-year-olds shopping with friends. This gives teenagers greater control over decisions about what to buy.

This report examines the key factors which impact children's pocket money in a broad sense. Social, demographic and economic influences are considered, including trends in the UK child population and family living patterns.