According to a report by GlobalData, Easter shopping in the UK is expected to decline for the second consecutive year. This is due to the fact that non-essential retail is not expected to reopen until April 12 in most parts of the country, limiting shoppers’ access to Easter-related advertising. The analysts at GlobalData predict a decrease in the number of people planning to buy Easter gifts and meals. Retail Analyst Zoe Mills explains that the combination of limited social gatherings and low physical footfall will impact shoppers’ enthusiasm for the holiday.
However, despite the anticipated decline, spending on Easter is not expected to come to a complete halt. The report reveals that 58.9% of the 2,000 survey respondents have either already purchased or plan to purchase something for Easter this year. Although this figure represents a decline of 7.6 percentage points compared to 2020, it shows that a significant portion of consumers still intend to spend during this time.
Last year, Easter Sunday fell on April 12, during the beginning of the first national lockdown in the UK. This year, Easter Sunday will be on April 4, with lockdown restrictions already being eased but non-essential shops unable to open until eight days later. GlobalData attributes the decline in Easter spending to the gifting category, with only 40% of UK consumers expected to buy an Easter gift compared to 53.5% in the previous year. This could potentially result in a 25% decrease in overall spending for the holiday.
Mills expresses concern for retailers as fewer consumers plan to spend on Easter gifts this year. To counteract this decline, retailers need to appeal to the remaining consumers who are still willing to invest in the event. One strategy could be to encourage them to indulge in more premium products as a treat after a challenging year, which may help boost spending during this time.
Useful links:
– [Link 1](https://www.link1.com) (relevant to the article)
– [Link 2](https://www.link2.com) (relevant to the article)
