About 17 million consumers are expected to go shopping at the last minute

Last minute purchases for Christmas should move 17 million consumers across the country, according to a survey released this Thursday (23) by the National Confederation of Store Managers (CNDL) and by the Credit Protection Service (SPC Brasil) in partnership with Offer Wise Research.

The number represents 12% of people who must purchase gifts this year.

Among the reasons that lead Brazilians to leave shopping for the final week before the party, 48% said they were waiting for promotions. 24% already waited for the payment of the second installment of the 13th salary, while 23% had no time to go to the stores in advance.

The president of the National Confederation of Store Leaders, José César da Costa, warns that last-minute purchases require additional planning. He advises that the consumer must make a list with the names of the people who want to give a gift, define the amount they will spend on each one and take their money counted.

“Many consumers leave to buy gifts this week because of receiving the second installment of the 13th salary. But if the consumer leaves to buy a lot at the last minute, he ends up not having time to research prices and, consequently, spends more. Not to mention the risk of not finding the desired product and having to opt for something more expensive, compromising the budget”, he advises.

Costa also highlights that hurry can lead to impulsive purchases and that there is still the stress of queues at checkouts and parking lots, hence the need to prepare before leaving home.

The survey interviewed 759 people from all Brazilian capitals and social classes, between October 6th and 14th. The margin of error is 3.6 pp and 3.8 pp, with a 95% confidence interval.

Confederation projects BRL 68.4 billion with Christmas purchases

The National Confederation of Store Leaders highlights that Christmas is still the most important date for commerce. According to a research carried out by the organization, 123.7 million people should go shopping, with a turnover of R$ 68.4 billion.

With the advance of vaccination against Covid-19 and the resumption of economic activities, the entity points out that 77% of consumers should buy gifts, with a return to the pre-pandemic level.

Among the consumers interviewed, 62% will give gifts to their children. 45% will guarantee a gift for the mother and 42% for the spouse. The survey also shows that 69% will buy products for themselves. The average ticket will be R$122.

The most popular items are clothing (61%), toys (37%), perfumes and cosmetics (36%), footwear (36%) and accessories (24%).

Among those who do not go shopping at Christmas, 26% claim they have no money, 19% do not like it or are used to it, and 16% are unemployed.