Austrians want to spend 250 million euros on Easter gifts this year. Last year, turnover was more than ten percent higher. The bestsellers are sweets, colored eggs and toys for the children.
For local retailers, Easter is the most important celebration after Christmas. According to a current survey by the trade association, Austrians want to spend 250 million euros on their loved ones this year. Compared to the previous year, the savings target was set: “In 2023, Easter turnover was more than ten percent higher. According to our latest consumer barometer, two-thirds of people still have to limit themselves financially. One in five people don’t give anything away at Easter – but of course there are often religious reasons for this,” reports Rainer Will, head of the trade association.
An average of 89 euros is spent on gifts, while 50 euros is spent on the banquet. Customers in Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol and Vorarlberg are the most generous with an average total of 160 euros, while the Viennese have the least money left over (116 euros).
“The chocolate bunny should not be missing in five out of ten Easter baskets. Sweets clearly remain the number one most popular Easter gift in the country this year. This is followed by colored eggs at 40 percent and toys at 23 percent,” Will summarizes the results of the study.
Every second person shops at the supermarket or discounter for Easter. A third buys in shopping centers and one in four in shops on shopping streets. 21 percent buy groceries online; Markets (18 percent) and special Easter markets (15 percent) are also popular.
The importance of buying fresh food on Good Friday for Austrians is evident from the fact that it is the second busiest day of the year in terms of turnover for the food trade. But the cash registers are also ringing at non-food providers when decorations and gifts are purchased for loved ones.
“Especially in times like these, it is nice to see that Austrians stick together. 68 percent want to consciously shop regionally this year and set an example for sustainable consumption with their spending. It is crucial that the added value largely remains in Austria and therefore benefits our producers and traders. In other words, those who employ more than 700,000 people in this country pay taxes and thus contribute to the financing of the social and health care system. This leads to more confidence in our entire eco-social market economy,” says Will.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
