Managing Director of the Austrian Retail Association Rainer Will and WIFO economist Jürgen Bierbaumer-Polly © D. Mikkelsen/Leadersnet

27.11.2019

Christmas Sales 2019: Outlook Mildly Positive

Press Conference held by WIFO and Austrian Retail Association

WIFO economist Jürgen Bierbaumer-Polly presented the forecast for this year's Christmas sales at a joint press conference with the Austrian Retail Association on 27 November 2019.

Following a decline in last year's Christmas sales, the domestic retail trade can expect earnings in December 2019 to exceed the previous year's level. WIFO is forecasting a nominal increase in net sales of 1.22 billion € due to Christmas. This corresponds to an increase of slightly more than 1 percent. Despite the weak overall economic situation, the willingness of private households to spend has recently remained robust. This should also support the spending mood at Christmas. The strongest sales peaks compared to a "normal" month should again be recorded by the trade with toys, watches and jewellery, books and consumer electronics.