Promising start to the 2024 Christmas business

The first Advent weekend 2024 was characterized in Austria by a mixture of traditional Christmas magic and intensive shopping. Many cities and regions report this well-attended Christmas marketssuch as the Salzburg Christmas market or the Advent markets in Vienna and Linz. The markets attracted numerous locals and tourists with punch, handicrafts, Christmas delicacies and cultural programs.

Customer frequency up to 40% over the previous year

Also that one retail benefited from this, especially on the first Saturday of Advent, which is traditionally one of the most important shopping days of the year is. Many people took advantage of the cold but dry Saturday to stroll through local shopping streets and shopping centers, preferably followed by a visit to a Christmas market. The demand for traditional Advent products, decorations and craftsmanship remains high here.

“The first weekend of Advent was a promising start to the 2024 Christmas business for retailers. Also the numerous Black Friday and Black Week offers ensured very good customer frequency in stationary retail. Some retailers and shopping centers recorded up to 40 percent more customer frequency compared to the previous year”says Rainer Willmanaging director of the free and non-partisan trade association.

Industry comparison: Electronics, books, toys and cosmetics with good performance

Both Christmas shopping trends In the first week there was particularly strong demand for electrical products, books, toys and perfumes. Compared to other sectors, the trade in food and coffee also recorded high demand. The fashion houses were also packed on Saturday.

Of course retailers get them Consumer reluctance to purchase in view of the economic recession and the many bad news in recent weeks. As is well known, no other industry in the country is stronger bankruptcies affected, four closures per working day speak for themselves. The entire industry is therefore hoping for a successful one Cyber ​​Monday on December 2nd as well as a continued recovery in business in the coming weeks of Advent.