Overview
- A YouGov survey for the HDE reports average planned gift spending of €263 per person, about €34 less than last year, with 21% intending to spend less and 6% planning nothing.
- HDE projects November–December retail sales of roughly €126 billion, a 1.5% nominal rise that would leave volumes around last year’s level, in a period that typically delivers 18.5% of annual sales.
- Two-thirds of retailers rate consumer sentiment worse than in 2024, and 83% expect stronger price watching, signaling a season shaped by promotions and bargain hunting.
- BCG finds 58% of consumers plan to use action days such as Black Friday on November 28, with more price comparisons and deferrals of nonessential buys as online search gains share.
- The sector faces elevated stress with higher insolvencies reported by Creditreform and selective store closures, even as some chains expand networks, according to recent industry surveys.