Shortly before Christmas, the uncertainty is putting pressure on gift buying this year

Last year the Corona restrictions were cleared, this year the money is not so easy’ – that is the mood of the business people in the old town shortly before the holy festival. You notice: people buy in a more targeted manner. Many people do more research on the internet in advance and then come to the store with a clear idea. This mainly affects expensive products such as watches or jewelry. If just one detail doesn’t meet expectations, it will be a slow seller. Rising prices and the uncertain economic situation are making people cautious.

While many people make compromises for themselves and their partners, the children or grandchildren receive rich gifts, as Steiff notes. Brigitta Hanke, who sells traditional costumes for children, can also confirm this. “You save yourself, but your grandparents spend money on the little ones,” she says.

The restraint is not only confirmed by the visual inspection in Getreidegasse, but also by the trade association. The stores are full, but there is not as much shopping as last year. Almost one in three people only do their bulk shopping just before Christmas Eve. Retailers from Salzburg are also seeing a rush these days.

At some retailers, purchasing behavior has even changed so much that they can no longer buy in stock. “People are certainly not indecisive, but rather insecure,” is the opinion of Constanze Kurz, who runs a costume shop on Goldgasse. The trend is ‘repair and rewear’ and new purchases are carefully considered.