Retail sector expects five percent growth in Christmas sales
Managing Director Guy Wires of the Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade expects Christmas sales to be busier compared with last year. He believes that snow is a good sign, and says that an early appearance of the white stuff is always an indicator of a higher level of sales in Southern Finland. At the moment, there is a record amount of snow in Helsinki for the time of year.
Even in November sales were higher than at the same time last year. In terms of euros, Christmas shopping outgoings are expected to increase by 5% this year compared with last December.
The retail sector has hired 10,000 temporary staff for the Christmas season. The majority of them are schoolboys and girls as well as students. For example in the toy department of Stockmann’s department store in Helsinki, there are more Christmas helpers than regular staff.
Christmas sales are expected to amount to about EUR 2 billion. Roughly EUR 750 million will be used for actual Christmas shopping, including food, presents, and decorations.
According to Managing Director Wires, his family of four will spend about EUR 700 to 800 for Christmas shopping - half for food, half for presents.
Advent shopping started on Sunday. Kristiina and Janne Koskela came all the way from Oulu to see Stockmann’s Christmas department on a visit to Helsinki. Even though Kristiina Koskela will make some of the presents herself, the family will spend some 600 to 700 euros for Christmas presents this year.
Marjatta Vainio’s family of three in Espoo will also lay out several hundreds of euros for Christmas shopping. They will have smoked country turkey for their Christmas dinner. Traditional ham and vegetarian delicacies will supplement the Christmas menu. For dessert, the family will be having chocolate cake.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 29.11.2004 - TODAY |
 Retail sector expects five percent growth in Christmas sales |
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