Share |

Association for Retail Technology Standards
National Council of Chain Restaurants
Loss Prevention (LPInformation.com)
Retail Advertising and Marketing Association
Community of Online and Multichannel Retailers
STORES Media, Knowledge Series, and more
NRF Foundation Research & Education
Forum for International Retail Association Executives

News

Holiday & Consumer Trends Image: Text decoration - bullet

St Patricks Day Image: Text decoration - bullet

March 8, 2010

Consumers to Stock up on Green Décor and Party Favors For St. Patrick’s Day

Click here for complete survey results

For Immediate Release
Kathy Grannis (202)783-7971
Grannisk@nrf.com

Consumers to Stock up on Green Décor and Party Favors For St. Patrick’s Day

Washington, March 8, 2010 – Retailers and restaurants might have a little more luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day as consumers gear up for private parties and special outings to celebrate the Irish holiday. According to NRF’s 2010 St. Patrick’s Day, conducted by BIGresearch, celebrants will spend an average of $33.05 on decorations, party favors and green attire, up slightly from $32.80 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $3.44 billion.*

“With many people still worried about the economy, St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity for consumers to have a little fun,” said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO, NRF. “Retailers as well as restaurants should see an increase in traffic this year as people begin to shake off their winter blues and celebrate this traditionally festive holiday with friends and family.”

Of those planning on celebrating, eight out of 10 (80.8%) will simply put on their brightest green tie or sweater, but others want to have a bit more fun - nearly three out of 10 (29.6%) will attend a party at a bar or restaurant. Another third will stay at home and cook a traditional meal (33.3%). However, it seems the real interest this year is in heading to a private party (18.9% vs. 16.7% in 2009) or decorating a home or office (23.3% vs. 21.8% last year.)

“With limited budgets for their discretionary expenditures, partygoers will look for inexpensive ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year,” said Phil Rist, Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, BIGresearch. “Private parties are a great way to save money as friends and family can share all the costs.”

Irish or not, the holiday usually draws the interest of all ages. Having cut back on holiday festivities last year due to a weak economy, young adults seem to be back in the swing of things this year with the average 18-24 expected to spend $40.18, up from $36.05 last year. Additionally, 39.2 percent of young adults are planning on attending a private party, compared to 35.4 percent last year.

About the Survey

The NRF 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to St. Patrick’s Day. The poll of 8,560 consumers was conducted from February 2-9, 2010. The consumer poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.0 percent.

BIGresearch is a consumer market intelligence firm that provides unique consumer insights that are gathered online utilizing very large sample sizes. BIGresearch’s syndicated Consumer Intentions and Actions survey monitors the pulse of more than 8,000 consumers each month to empower its clients with unique insights for identifying opportunities in a fragmented and changing marketplace.

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2009 sales of $4.1 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com.

###

* Total extrapolation of US population 18+

Email to Friend | Printer Friendly

Subscribe to the NRF News Feed