Austrian Shoppers Flock to Stores for Second Pre-Christmas Weekend
As Christmas approaches, retailers in Lower Austria are reporting a surge in foot traffic and sales. The second shopping Saturday before Christmas proved to be another success, with major shopping centers bustling with activity.
Strong Start to the Holiday Season
At the SCS Shopping City Süd in Vösendorf, general manager Zsolt Juhasz observed a similarly high number of customers compared to the first weekend of Advent. He reported a “better than expected” start to the Christmas season, with double-digit increases in both footfall and sales during the first weekend alone.
Juhasz noted that the second shopping Saturday was already bustling in the morning, with the mall anticipating around 90,000 visitors by closing time. Although parking spaces are consistently occupied during peak hours, Juhasz points to growing reliance on public transport as a positive trend.
The SCS is also benefiting from recent new store openings, further attracting customers.
A “Very Satisfactory” Shopping Weekend
Across Lower Austria, the trend extended beyond the major malls. The CityCenter Amstetten (CCA) also celebrated a “very successful start” to the season. A press release reported a nearly four percent increase in visitors compared to the previous week, contributing to a cumulative 14 percent growth in Christmas business year-on-year. Katharina Gfrerer, Center Manager of CCA, attributed the surge partly to December 8th falling on a Sunday this year, driving shoppers to Saturdays for gift buying.
The story was similar at the Rosenarcade Tulln. While footfall remained consistent with the previous year’s levels, early indicators pointed to an increase in per capita sales.
Weather Plays a Role
Karl Ungersbäck, managing director of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce’s trade division, attributed “very good frequency” at many retail locations to a key factor: the weather.
“The weather is also playing into our hands this year,” SCS manager Juhasz agreed.
With persistent low temperatures in recent days, demand for winter clothing and winter sports equipment has surged – and, according to Juhasz, projections for the coming days suggest a continuation of this trend.
“After many shopping trips were postponed on Friday due to slippery roads and precipitation, the weather was good today,” added Ungersbäck,
Suggesting that favorable weather conditions played a role in boosting shopper turnout.
Events like the “Golden Zwettler Advent” also positively influenced customer frequency.
Holiday Shopping Trends
“Vouchers continue to be in high demand,” said Juhasz.
Classics like toys and books, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and perfumes remain popular gift choices.
For teenagers and young adults, cell phones and tablets top the wish list, while men are seeking electronics, tech gadgets, and sports equipment.
The CCA and the Rosenarcade also confirmed that vouchers, books, perfumery and drugstore items, and clothing are proving to be popular gift choices this Christmas season.
What is the overall picture of holiday shopping in Austria this season?
## Interview: Austrian Holiday Shopping Boom
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to Shopping Trends, today we’re discussing the holiday shopping season in Austria. We’re joined by retail expert Mr. Thomas Meier to discuss the latest reports. Mr. Meier, thanks for being here.
**Thomas Meier:** My pleasure.
**Interviewer:** So, the reports are in, and it seems like Austrian shoppers are out in force this holiday season. What’s the overall picture?
**Thomas Meier:** It certainly looks that way! Reports from Lower Austria, like those from the SCS Shopping City Süd in Vösendorf, paint a compelling picture. Not only did the first Advent weekend see impressive footfall and sales increases, but the second shopping Saturday before Christmas has also been bustling with activity.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic news for retailers. Can you tell us more about the situation at the SCS?
**Thomas Meier:** General manager Zsolt Juhasz has described the season as “better than expected”. The SCS is expecting around 90,000 visitors by closing time today, matching the success of the first weekend’s shoppers. Beyond the sheer numbers, there’s a noticeable reliance on public transportation, which is great to see.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like shoppers are embracing public transport options. Are other shopping centers in Lower Austria reporting similar trends?
**Thomas Meier:** Absolutely. The CityCenter Amstetten, for instance, shared that they saw a near four percent increase in visitor numbers compared to the week before. This contributes to a cumulative 14% growth in Christmas-related business year-on-year.
**Interviewer:** These are very encouraging signs for retailers. Is there anything else noteworthy about this pre-Christmas shopping frenzy?
**Thomas Meier:** Yes, it’s worth noting the SCS is benefiting from recent new store openings, further attracting customers. This highlights the ongoing efforts from shopping centers to diversify their offerings and create a truly welcoming shopping experience.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Meier, for providing such insightful analysis. It sounds like the Christmas shopping season is truly benefiting from the festive spirit and shoppers’ eagerness to find the perfect gifts.
