Sale in December

People usually spend more in stores in December than in any other month. For a number of years, December turnover in retail trade has been increasing. December 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which also showed in retail trade turnover. At the end of 2021, sales jumped sharply, and then in December 2022, compared to the previous year, slowed down again.

In December 2022, the turnover of retail trade enterprises was 13.5% higher than the average monthly turnover in that year. The consumption in December compared to the entire year was 5.7 percentage points lower than in 2021.

Where in the retail trade was turnover the highest?

Compared to the other months of the year, due to gift purchases, turnover in December last year increased the most in stores with electronic and household appliances (by 32.2%), and due to celebrations, in food stores (by 14.4%). Sales in cosmetics stores (up by 21.9%) and in textile and footwear stores (up by 12.3%) also increased considerably. Compared to the other months of the year, sales of recreational goods (up by 0.8%) and furniture (down by 1.1%) remained almost unchanged in December. 
Compared to December 2021, December 2022 was less successful for stores selling recreational goods, food products and furniture.

Compared to residents of other EU Member States, people in Slovenia are more prudent when it comes to holiday shopping

Although people in Slovenia spend significantly more in December than on average per month, they are more prudent when it comes to pre-New Year's purchases than residents of other EU Member States. Sales of non-food products in Slovenia in December 2022, compared to the monthly average for the entire year, were well below the EU-27 average (Slovenia: 12.9%, EU-27: 19.8%). The biggest change in non-food purchases in December compared to the monthly average was recorded in Ireland, i.e. an increase by as much as 48.1%.

Compared to the average monthly sales in Slovenia, the increase in food sales in December (by 14.4%) was slightly higher than in non-food sales. The increase in food purchases in December compared to the monthly average was the highest in Ireland (22.6%), and the lowest in Croatia (3.0%).

Import of products suitable for creating a festive atmosphere

Retailers also adapt to the festive season by offering selected products that emphasise the festive mood.

Merry December

At the end of the year, major city centres are marked by festive lights, fireworks, Christmas fairs with stalls and festive programs. Ljubljana, the capital, is particularly attractive for domestic visitors, where in December 2022 the number of domestic tourist arrivals with at least one overnight stay was as much as 50.3% higher than the monthly average of that year. In December 2022, compared to the average of the entire year, significant increases in domestic tourist arrivals with at least one overnight stay were also recorded in Maribor (24.0%), Kranj (19.3%) and Kranjska Gora (17.0%).

People also brighten up their December days by visiting restaurants and similar establishments; they spend there more in December than in any other month of the year. Turnover in the food and beverage service activities was 9.5% higher in December 2022 than average monthly turnover in the same year. Compared to December 2021, it was higher by as much as 42.6%. Inflation must also be taken into account. The prices of catering services were 11.3% higher than in the same period a year earlier.

Are extra payments the reason for higher consumption?

For some, holiday shopping and celebration in December are probably made easier by November's higher earnings, usually due to higher extra payments (13th month pay and Christmas bonuses) paid with the earnings in December.

Extra payments with earnings for November 2022 were received by 23.4% of all employees, i.e. 1.5 percentage points fewer than for November 2021 and 1.9 percentage points more than for November 2020. Average extra payment for November 2022 amounted to EUR 929 gross.