3 billion euros — that’s how much Italians spent online for holiday shopping last year during the pre-Christmas season. Germany recorded more than three times the online sales revenue, making the holiday business flourish well over a dozen weeks before Christmas. November and December remain the most profitable months for retailers annually.
For retailers, Christmas ends — paradoxically — when the First Star appears in the sky. While residents of some countries claim Christmas has become too commercialized, there’s no denying that billions of euros spent on gifts, decorations, and trinkets effectively drive the global economy every year.
Coins, euros, dollars — holiday spending and profits around the world
Holiday spending and profits around the world
Over half of Russian women would like to find cash under the tree. This isn’t surprising, given the substantial expenses during the pre-holiday season. Significant sums vanish from wallets and bank accounts worldwide. Last year, Italians spent 3 billion euros on holiday shopping online, while Germans spent 11 billion euros. Western neighbors most frequently bought books and toys — obviously, gifts for friends and family.
Canadians broke the record for toy, game, and gadget purchases in December 2014, spending over 416 million USD. That’s over 185% more than the average monthly sales for such products. This year, Poles are planning to spend an average of 723 PLN on holiday shopping — slightly less than last year.
The most expensive Christmas tree with pearls instead of ornaments
The most expensive Christmas tree with pearls instead of ornaments
Holiday business in numbers — spending and profits worldwide
One of the hotels in the United Arab Emirates came up with a marketing idea: creating the world’s most expensive Christmas tree. In 2010, a tree costing 11,026,900 USD was erected in Abu Dhabi, including decorations. The green tree itself cost 10,000 USD, while over 11 million USD was spent on decorations made of gold, diamonds, pearls, sapphires, and emeralds.
Summary
November and December are the most profitable months for retailers, and holiday shopping fever begins several weeks before Christmas. Last year, Italians spent 3 billion euros online, Germans — 11 billion euros — mostly on books and toys. Canadians broke toy, game, and gadget sales records in December 2014, spending over 416 million USD — 185% more than the average monthly sales.
Poles plan to spend an average of 723 PLN on holiday spending this year — slightly less than the previous year. A curiosity remains the Christmas tree from the Abu Dhabi hotel, which, together with gold, diamond, and pearl decorations, cost over 11 million USD.
