Forecast: busiest Christmas shopping days for Europe in 2023

The past year in Europe was characterized by high inflation and the soccer World Cup. Both factors that impact the shopping habits of people. However, some shopping habits were not affected by external influences. For instance, consumers in Europe continue to be drawn to the stores later than in the rest of the world. More than a third (36%) of the busiest shopping days there occur after Christmas or even in the new year.

Here is an overview of the forecasts for different European countries:

• France (1st Saturday of the winter sales Saturday, January 13)

In France, this is mainly due to the nationwide soldes d'hiver, the winter sales, which cover a period in January as stipulated by the French Commercial Code.

• Italy (Epiphany Saturday, January 6)
• Spain (Wednesday before Epiphany Wednesday, January 3)

In Italy and Spain, the delayed shopping season can be traced back to Epiphany on January 6.In 2024, this will be a Saturday. Spain is also the only European country in which three of the five most important shopping days will take place during the week instead of at the weekend.

• UK (Super Saturday; the last Saturday before Christmas) Saturday, December 23)

In Germany and the UK, on the other hand, the pattern is similar to that in North America: consumers are expected to head to the shops in the weeks before Christmas and on the weekend after Black Friday. However Black Friday itself is not considered to be a particularly strong shopping day for bricks-and-mortar retailers.

Source: cdn.bfldr.com