Sale in December
Sale in festive December
Turnover of retail enterprises in December 2023 once again surpassed average monthly turnover in that year.
In December, people traditionally spend more on shopping than in the other months of the year, so retail turnover is usually higher than the monthly average.
This was also the case in 2023, when retail turnover in December was 15.0% higher than the average monthly turnover for the year. However, in December 2023 it was 0.8% lower than in December 2022, marking the second consecutive decline compared to the previous December.
Only turnover in food sales not lower than in 2022
Sales of food products in December 2023 were 2.0% higher than in December 2022. In all other major retail sectors, however, turnover decreased. In stores selling electronic and household appliances it was the lowest since December 2016, except for 2020, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another growth in retail turnover via mail or internet
While turnover of most of the mentioned sectors in December 2023 was lower than in December 2022, this was not the case for retail trade via mail or internet. Turnover in this sector reached a record level in December 2023, exceeding the December 2022 turnover by 6.7%.
Turnover in this sector has been steadily growing for the past decade, with the highest growth in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This sector typically generates its highest monthly turnover at the end of the year. In December 2023, turnover was 29.3% higher than the monthly average for 2023, though this was only the second largest deviation from the average in 2023. In November 2023, monthly turnover was 33.2% higher than the monthly average.
Residents of Slovenia more economical in holiday shopping compared to other EU Member States
In December, residents of Slovenia spend significantly more on shopping compared to the other months. However, when it comes to holiday shopping, they are more careful than the majority of residents of other EU Member States.
Sales of non-food products in Slovenia in December 2023 were much lower compared to the average monthly sales for the year, especially when compared to the EU average. The difference between December sales and the average monthly sales for 2023 in Slovenia was 13.7%, while the average difference across EU Member States was 19.8%. Slovenia ranked just behind six EU Member States. The largest difference (61.7%) was recorded in Ireland.
In December 2023, the growth in food sales in Slovenia was slightly higher than the growth in non-food sales. The growth rate in food sales compared to the average monthly sales was 17.6%, which is above the EU average of 15.5%. The largest difference in food sales was recorded in Luxembourg (23.3%) and the smallest in Croatia (4.7%).
Imports of products
Certain product groups are closely linked to December holidays and traditions, and this is reflected in imports as well. In the last quarter of the year, there is an increase in the import of products suitable for gifts and creating a festive atmosphere. This was also the case in 2023, when the import of most product categories associated with gift giving and holiday celebrations increased.
In the last quarter of the year, the import of sparkling wines increased the most. Imports reached EUR 2.7 million, which was an increase of 28.6% over the last quarter of 2022. The import of fireworks increased by 18.2%. It amounted to EUR 1.3 million or 65.0% of total annual import of fireworks. In the last quarter of the year, also EUR 3.1 million of products for Christmas holidays were imported, which was 52.5% of total last year’s import of these products.
On the other hand, compared to the last quarter of 2022 the import of Christmas tree lighting sets decreased by 50.0% as did the import of postcards and greeting cards.
Festive December
December is a month filled with numerous public outdoor events – concerts, parties, fairs, and children's activities. Many visitors are also attracted to the cities by the Christmas lights, especially in Slovenia’s two largest cities, Ljubljana and Maribor.
In the capital, Ljubljana, domestic tourists generated in December 13.3% of all overnight stays in 2023. In Maribor, the share was slightly lower at 10.0%.
On the last day of the year, almost 19,300 domestic tourists stayed in accommodation facilities across Slovenia. The highest number of overnight stays on this day was recorded in municipality Kranjska Gora with around 2,600, followed by municipality Bohinj with just over 1,700.
December is also a month when visits to restaurants and cafes are more frequent. Turnover from the sale of food and beverages in December 2023 was 7.8% higher than the average monthly turnover for the year. Compared to December 2022 it grew by 18.4%.
This was also the case in 2023, when retail turnover in December was 15.0% higher than the average monthly turnover for the year. However, in December 2023 it was 0.8% lower than in December 2022, marking the second consecutive decline compared to the previous December.
Only turnover in food sales not lower than in 2022
Sales of food products in December 2023 were 2.0% higher than in December 2022. In all other major retail sectors, however, turnover decreased. In stores selling electronic and household appliances it was the lowest since December 2016, except for 2020, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another growth in retail turnover via mail or internet
While turnover of most of the mentioned sectors in December 2023 was lower than in December 2022, this was not the case for retail trade via mail or internet. Turnover in this sector reached a record level in December 2023, exceeding the December 2022 turnover by 6.7%.
Turnover in this sector has been steadily growing for the past decade, with the highest growth in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This sector typically generates its highest monthly turnover at the end of the year. In December 2023, turnover was 29.3% higher than the monthly average for 2023, though this was only the second largest deviation from the average in 2023. In November 2023, monthly turnover was 33.2% higher than the monthly average.
Residents of Slovenia more economical in holiday shopping compared to other EU Member States
In December, residents of Slovenia spend significantly more on shopping compared to the other months. However, when it comes to holiday shopping, they are more careful than the majority of residents of other EU Member States.
Sales of non-food products in Slovenia in December 2023 were much lower compared to the average monthly sales for the year, especially when compared to the EU average. The difference between December sales and the average monthly sales for 2023 in Slovenia was 13.7%, while the average difference across EU Member States was 19.8%. Slovenia ranked just behind six EU Member States. The largest difference (61.7%) was recorded in Ireland.
In December 2023, the growth in food sales in Slovenia was slightly higher than the growth in non-food sales. The growth rate in food sales compared to the average monthly sales was 17.6%, which is above the EU average of 15.5%. The largest difference in food sales was recorded in Luxembourg (23.3%) and the smallest in Croatia (4.7%).
Imports of products
Certain product groups are closely linked to December holidays and traditions, and this is reflected in imports as well. In the last quarter of the year, there is an increase in the import of products suitable for gifts and creating a festive atmosphere. This was also the case in 2023, when the import of most product categories associated with gift giving and holiday celebrations increased.
In the last quarter of the year, the import of sparkling wines increased the most. Imports reached EUR 2.7 million, which was an increase of 28.6% over the last quarter of 2022. The import of fireworks increased by 18.2%. It amounted to EUR 1.3 million or 65.0% of total annual import of fireworks. In the last quarter of the year, also EUR 3.1 million of products for Christmas holidays were imported, which was 52.5% of total last year’s import of these products.
On the other hand, compared to the last quarter of 2022 the import of Christmas tree lighting sets decreased by 50.0% as did the import of postcards and greeting cards.
Festive December
December is a month filled with numerous public outdoor events – concerts, parties, fairs, and children's activities. Many visitors are also attracted to the cities by the Christmas lights, especially in Slovenia’s two largest cities, Ljubljana and Maribor.
In the capital, Ljubljana, domestic tourists generated in December 13.3% of all overnight stays in 2023. In Maribor, the share was slightly lower at 10.0%.
On the last day of the year, almost 19,300 domestic tourists stayed in accommodation facilities across Slovenia. The highest number of overnight stays on this day was recorded in municipality Kranjska Gora with around 2,600, followed by municipality Bohinj with just over 1,700.
December is also a month when visits to restaurants and cafes are more frequent. Turnover from the sale of food and beverages in December 2023 was 7.8% higher than the average monthly turnover for the year. Compared to December 2022 it grew by 18.4%.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
