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Retailers to Feel Luck O’ the Irish This St. Patrick’s Day

Consumers to Spend Nearly $3.8 Billion this Holiday

Washington, DC, March 5, 2007 – No sooner than retailers say goodbye to Cupid, they say hello to little green Leprechauns as stores everywhere stock up with St. Patrick’s Day gear. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers will spend an estimated $3.76 billion on St. Patrick’s Day. The average consumer is expected to dish out $34.89 celebrating the holiday compared to last year’s $27.94.

“With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, Americans will be in the mood to celebrate,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “In addition to traditional retailers, St. Patrick’s Day will provide a great opportunity for restaurants and bars to see sales increases.”

This year, nearly one-third (30.5%) of consumers stated they planned to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by attending a party at their favorite restaurant or bar. However, another third of consumers prefer a quiet evening at home, with 33.9 percent staying in to make a special dinner. Though the most popular way consumers plan to celebrate is simply by wearing green (82.6%), some consumers are going all out: nearly 17.0 percent of consumers will attend a private party and 22.2 percent will decorate their home or office.

Young adults intend to spend the most on St. Patrick’s Day this year, with the average 18-24 year old planning to dish out $40.12. Second to young adults are the 25-34 year olds who will spend $39.04, followed by the 35-44 year old age group at $36.56.

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