Argos is expecting shoppers to spend more than double the amount on Easter treats and decorations for the coming Bank Holiday weekend than they did last year – up by 104%, its data shows.
Searches on the Argos website for Easter decorations in March are up 949% on last year, with Easter wreath searches up a staggering 5,600 times after celebrities such as Ruth Langsford and Stacey Solomon posted their seasonal décor on social media.
The rise in spend on Easter comes as a nationwide poll of 2,000 people reveals that alongside Christmas, many calendar events are now huge occasions. Some 46% of those surveyed said they’re putting in more effort than they did last year, versus just 18% making less of a fuss.
Six out of ten people said they’re celebrating more because the lockdown has given them a renewed appreciation of their family and friends, while 38% said having dates in the calendar gave them something to look forward to and kept them occupied.
In addition to going big on Easter, the nationwide poll showed that 41cent are splashing out £100 or more on this year’s special occasions as a whole – with a majority saving up to re-celebrate a past occasion once restrictions allow for a larger event.
A massive 59% of us are planning a second birthday to make up for one lost due to lockdown, while almost half (49%) are set to join family and friends for a second Christmas in the summer months.
When asked why they’re saving up celebrations, 44% of UK shoppers said they wanted to involve more of their loved ones, 30% said they wanted to commemorate it properly, and a further 30% said virtual celebrations just weren’t the same.
The uptick in spend on occasions was seen most recently on Mother’s Day, with Argos’s online shoppers purchasing an average of two gifts.
An Argos spokesperson comments: “This Easter weekend, people are ‘going big’ with their plans, whether that’s through decorating their homes or being more generous with friends and family. Not only are people looking for ways to brighten up their homes for the festivities, but their renewed appreciation for their loved ones means they’re more inclined to make a big effort when it comes to buying gifts and thinking of activity ideas that sit within the rules.”
They continue: “Rather than seeing our spend reduce once restrictions lift, it seems people are preparing for a summer filled with fun, hosting second Christmases, birthdays and Easters to make up for the ones they feel they’ve lost. Because Argos caters for celebrations of all kinds, we always see a last-minute rush on gifts from customers who know they can trust us. For those who decide very suddenly that they’d like to join in the fun, Argos offers Fast Track delivery to your door in under four hours.”
