Sale in December

In December 2019, turnover in retail trade grew by 13.4% compared to the 2019 monthly average. It was also higher than in December 2018 (by 2.3%). Annual growth was thus 0.8 of a percentage point higher than in December 2018, when turnover grew by 1.5%.

Which stores do we visit more often in December?

Gift-giving traditions and festivities can be detected in our shopping patterns. Due to buying gifts, turnover in December 2019 (compared to the annual average) in the sale of electronic and household appliances increased by 36.2% and due to festivities in food stores by 17.9%. It also increased significantly in the sales of cosmetics (by 15.4%) and in the sales of textile and footwear (by 13.3%).

Compared to December 2018, December 2019 was more successful for merchants in the sale of cosmetics (by 4.3%), in the sale of products for recreational activities (by 3.9%) and in the sale of electronic and household appliances (by 2.8%). The sale of textile and footwear remained at the December 2018 level. December 2019 was slightly less festive in the sale of furniture and in food stores, since turnover was lower than in December 2018.

Some people avoid the crowded stores by shopping online or by post. Companies registered in this activity recorded a 40.2% increase in turnover in December 2019 compared to the average month of 2019 and a 36.2% increase compared to December 2018.

In December people in Slovenia spend more, but not as much as other nations

Although Slovenian merchants recorded above average turnover in December 2019, the growth was less significant than in other EU Member States. Compared to the 2019 average, in Slovenia the growth of turnover in non-food stores in December 2019 was the lowest among EU Member States (by 11.8%). It was the highest in the United Kingdom (by 37.3%). Turnover in food stores in Slovenia increased by 15.4%. Turnover in food stores increased the most in Luxembourg (by 29.6%), and the least in Croatia (by 5.2%).

Gifts and festivities influence the import

Higher demand for products linked to December's holiday traditions is also recorded in import activities. Import of products suitable for gifts and celebration of holiday festivities increases in the last third of the year.

In the last three months of 2019, EUR 75.1 million of toys were imported. This was 41.0% of total annual import of toys. In the same period also chocolate and chocolate candy in the value of EUR 25.2 million (47.7% of annual import), perfumes in the value of EUR 12.1 million (42.4% of annual import) and whisky in the value of EUR 5.5 million (48.4% of annual import) were imported. For some products, the vast majority of import took place in the last third of the year: 91.6% of the annual value of Christmas tree lights, 76.3% of the annual value of fireworks and 72.9% of the annual value of products for Christmas holidays.

Month of festivities

Festivities, celebrations and other gatherings conventionally mark December. Bars, restaurants and other food service enterprises increased their income in December 2019 by 7.1% compared to the monthly average of 2019 and by 8.1% compared to December 2018.

Holiday decorations, events and stands, which are prepared in several cities in this part of the year, do not attract only local visitors. In December 2019, in the urban municipality of Ljubljana 66.9% more arrivals of domestic tourists who spent at least one overnight stay were recorded compared to the average month. In the urban municipality of Maribor domestic arrivals increased by 30.1%.

Where does the money for increased spending come from?

For above average spending, additional financial resources are required. Some may spend money saved in previous months, but at least part of the employed population (23%) received 13th month payment or Christmas bonuses with the earnings they received in December 2019. Those additional EUR 724 (highest since 2007) that employees on average received in extra payments likely contributed to higher spending in December 2019.