Easter with reduced costs – Greeks are changing their habits because of punctuality

The continued punctuality affecting households brings differences in the Easter consumption habits of Greeks. Research by the Consumer Goods Retail Research Institute shows a downward trend in spending, with travel the first sector to take a “scissors” in spending.

Unfortunately, whichever mode of transport consumers choose, they will have to dig deep into their pockets, as both fuel and fares on ships, buses and planes are on the rise, leaving a family of four to pay even a basic salary to travel outside the city.

It is indicative that for a return trip to Thessaloniki, a family of four will need to spend around 215 euros for fuel and tolls if they have a medium consumption car, while for a trip to Ioannina the cost will be closer to 205 euros.

Compared to last year, those who choose this means of travel pay more for KTEL tickets, with the increase being of the order of 9% from the beginning of 2024.

The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) trend in cooking and confectionery

Eating habits do not escape the grip of precision either, with the research highlighting smaller family tables and more cooking and confectionery preparations at home.

According to the breakdown of the harmonized index of consumer prices published by Eurostat, Greece had the second highest food inflation among the Eurozone member countries in March.

The IELKA has completed a consumer survey for the shopping of the Easter period in March 2024, with a sample of 800 consumers from all over Greece. The results show interesting results.

Changes are recorded in the predictions of consumers in relation to what they will do this Easter.

Specifically:

• 1 in 4 households (26%) declare that they will travel on Easter outside the urban centers to a village or island. This percentage in the previous decade even reached 53%.
• Family tables these days will be smaller than in the past. 43% declare that they will participate in large family tables of more than 10 people. This percentage is up from 40% in 2023, but clearly down from 67% in 2019.
• The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) trend in cooking and baking is on the rise. In other words, consumers choose to make their own sweets and other Easter items in higher percentages than in the past. The percentage who will make sweets at home rises from 43% to 50% and dyeing eggs rises from 62% to 79%.
• As for lamb and goat, lamb spitting although an increase is recorded in relation to 2023, compared to the past, the rates are low. In particular, 33% say they will skewer lamb compared to 32% in 2023, when the percentage in 2019 was 67%. Baking in the oven is recorded increased from 40% to 46%. This development combined with the reduced number of people at the family table translates into considerations for purchasing smaller quantities, but also the choice of different “cuts” for the types of meat by consumers. 42% state that they will buy lamb or goat from the butcher, while 31% from the supermarket. Finally, a reduced percentage of 9% (against 12% in 2023) declares that they will have an Easter meal in the catering industry.

Regarding the Easter markets in particular:

1. The majority of purchases will take place during Holy Week. In particular, only 35% will make the purchases earlier. 4% will shop next weekend, 53% during Holy Week and 9% at the last minute.
2. Overall spending on Easter shopping is expected to remain flat with a downward trend based on consumer responses. 40% estimate that they will reduce their purchases, while 34% that they will increase them. 26% believe that it will remain unchanged.
3. Finally, on average, it is estimated that this year’s spending for Easter per household will amount to 190 euros, 120 euros for groceries and 70 euros for other items, such as e.g. gifts.

It should be noted that this year the Easter table will be more expensive than in other years, as the prices of meat, fruit and vegetables have skyrocketed.