Consumers won’t be spending as much on St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during Holy Week this year. A survey from National Retail Federation predicts consumers will spend an estimated $3.64 billion on the Irish holiday, less than last year’s $3.76 billion.
Though the average person will spend slightly more on the holiday than they did last year ($35.04 vs. $34.89), fewer people will be celebrating this year (46.0% in 2008 vs. 48.3% in 2007). One of the primary reasons for a dip is that, for the first time since 1940, St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week, the sacred 7 days before Easter. Some cities, like Savannah, Ga., Philadelphia and Milwaukee, are moving their city celebrations to March 14, the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day.
-- Sarah
Recent Comments