Sales and Epiphany, for the first long weekend of 2025 a mix of shopping and trips

New Year’s Eve, Christmas and before that Black Friday discounts they do not give much room for maneuver for the further expenses of the Italians, even if the start of the sales season gives margins for the last gifts of the ‘season’ in view of theThe arrival of the Befana. In fact, judging from research by Confcooperative, 3 out of 4 Italians say they have spent too much during these Christmas holidays, but with the arrival of the sales, around 5 billion will still be spent overall, in addition to resorting to recycling the gifts received at Christmas which are worth a counter expense of almost 3.4 billion euros.

In total, 2 out of 3 Italians will give gifts for the Epiphany, for one total expenditure of 2.3 billionin line with last year’s value. La Befana is confirmed to be a party for children, Among the gifts, toys will dominate which predominate in the South according to 65% of those interviewed. Socks full of sweets, chocolate but also coal produced with Italian sugar in the Center for 45% of the sample. In the North, however, clothing wins with 51%. Holidays are growing with just over 7 million Italians travelling, 7 out of 10 of them have chosen Italy.

However, Confcooperative reports that the holidays have exacerbated the difficulties for the approximately 10 million Italians in poverty, in addition to the strong discontent of the middle class who see their purchasing power reduced due to the high cost of living. However, the start of the sales season, which is coming into full swing, will encourage purchases for the Epiphany.

After the advance of the Valle D’Aosta, which started on January 2nd, the winter discounts opened today throughout Italy.

And this year the first weekend – the most important period for end-of-season sales – is extended by a day thanks to Epiphany, which falls on Monday. In short, a ‘mini bridge’ which encourages shopping: between Saturday 4th and Monday 6th January there will be approximately 8 million Italians who will take advantage of the end-of-season sales to purchase at least one product with a discount. This is estimated by Confesercenti, according to which 49% of Italians plan a tour of the shop windows in these three days.

Furthermore, 59% of those interested have already established a budget of around 218 euros per family, but the figure could grow further also thanks to unplanned purchases: overall, in fact, almost one in two – 46% – declared that they had already decided to purchase at least one product during these sales, but there is a further 50 % who will evaluate the offers to decide whether to buy.

It will be done shopping both online and offline, but eight out of ten (81%) will choose shops for at least one purchase, compared to 54% who will buy a product online. The most desired fashion products for these sales are sweaters and sweatshirts, indicated by 51% of those who planned to purchase. Followed, very closely, by footwear (49% of reports) and then – much further away – skirts and trousers (31%), with a strong interest in jeans and denim, and sweaters and tops (30%).

Furthermore, a total of one million Italians will choose to leave on the occasion of the EpiphanyFederalberghi reveals: in 91% of cases people will choose Italy as their holiday destination while only 9% will choose abroad. Those who have chosen only Epiphany as their holiday period, they will carve out 3.3 nights for their stay away from home with a total per capita expenditure (i.e. including transport, accommodation, food and entertainment) of 362 euros for those who will remain in Italy, and 544 euros for those who will go abroad.

The specific turnover of the Befana holiday will be around 400 million euros. The preferred accommodation will be a hotel in 34.7% of cases, followed by a room in a B&B with 30.4%. The booking occurred primarily by contacting the facility directly via its website (35.1%) or by calling it directly (20.9%). The main reason for the holiday will be the search for rest and relaxation (61.8%), fun (38.1%) or it will be the opportunity to practice sports (17.6%).

For most cases, the weather will not influence your holiday plan too much (33.4%). While doubts about the weather conditions could influence the choice of 26.3% of those interviewed. Regarding the type of gifts that Italians have imagined or are imagining for this Epiphany, the gift of a dream trip that includes a stay in a hotel or hotel facilities in enchanting locations stands out (44.5%). In 2025 there will be a scenario on travel intentions favored by the positive situation of the calendar.