Expect many Americans to be wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday--but that’s not the only green the event will bring in.
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) announced on Monday that Americans will be spending around $5.9 billion to mark St. Patrick’s Day, a record and considerably more than the $5.3 billion from last year. The average American will spend a record high $39.65 this year, up from $37.92 last year.
R. Scott Shalley, the president and CEO of the FRF, weighed in, saying that Americans are spending more on holidays throughout the year.
“This is continued great news for Florida retailers as the past few holidays and celebrations have all set spending records, and with St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, the luck of the Irish should be with those retailers selling themed merchandise,” Shalley said.
Shalley pointed to numbers from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics which showed almost 150 American adults will celebrate St. Patrick’s, up from the 139 million who celebrated it last year.
Most Americans--83 percent--will be wearing green on Saturday while 31 percent plan to make a special dinner while more than a quarter of Americans--27 percent--will head out to a party or restaurant to celebrate. Another 27 percent will decorate their homes and offices while 15 percent will attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade and 9 percent will host a party.
Half of those surveyed--50 percent--will buy food for St. Patrick’s Day while 41 percent plan to buy beverages to toast in the holiday. Almost a third of American adults--31 percent--will buy apparel and accessories while 26 percent will buy decorations and 16 percent will get candy.
A wide variety of retailers will see increased shopping for the holiday as 38 percent of St. Patrick’s Day shoppers will go to grocery stores, 31 percent will shop at discount stores, 20 percent will go to department stores while 19 percent will hit the bars and restaurants.
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