People in the north spend more money on Christmas shopping than other Finns

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A survey commissioned by Nordea Bank and conducted by Synnovate Finland in November indicates that this year the average Finn will spend approximately EUR 630 on Christmas, of which EUR 350 will go to Christmas presents and the rest to other expenses, including food and clothes. Compared with last year, the average increase in Finland is EUR 36, which is slightly over five per cent.
      Since last year, people in Northern Finland have increased their Christmas present budget the most in Finland. According to Nordea, they will spend EUR 390 on average on Christmas presents - EUR 73 more than last year. The total Christmas expenditure in Northern Finland will be just under EUR 720.
      About a thousand people across the Nordic region were interviewed for the survey in late November. The results showed that even in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark the biggest spenders at Christmas can be found in the northern parts of these countries.
     
The findings of the survey came as a massive surprise to Nordea as well.
      Private Economist Tarja Svartström from Nordea commented that she and her colleagues are unable to find any solid explanation for the results, while there could be a number of reasons for the higher Christmas consumption in the northern part of the country.
     
The bigger expenditure could be attributed to the lack of competition, which means that the same goods cost more in the northern parts than in the southern districts of the country, where - at least in Finnish terms - the bulk of the money and the population resides.
      Most other surveys, for example of housing prices, will indicate a strong leaning towards the south and particularly the capital region, where average incomes are also a good deal higher.
      However, consumption seems here to buck the trend. Another possible cause is that the Ikea store that was recently opened on the border of Sweden and Finland near Tornio could tempt people to do more shopping than usual. A further factor might be the bigger families found in the North. Or perhaps the upswing in the economy is being experienced somewhat later in the North.
      In any event, Svartström could not offer a watertight catch-all explanation, which is why Helsingin Sanomat decided to present the question to local people in Lapland.
     
Some people said that people in Lapland spend more at Christmas, while wanting to show tourists that this is "Christmas Country" The number of tourists may also increase the assortment of goods available at shops, which in turn is bound to increase consumption.
      Others say that because of the darkness, Christmas with its lights and decorations is more important for people who live in Lapland.
      Moreover, the difference between everyday life and the Christmas season is really great in the North, says Professor Tuomo Peltonen from the University of Oulu.
      "It is also possible that consumption is divided more evenly over the entire year in Southern Finland", Peltonen concluded.
     
The Nordea survey was conducted for the second year in a row in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Nearly one thousand Finns over 16 participated in the survey by phone.


Links:
  Nordea press release: Christmas costs the average Finn 630 euros (5.12.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat