Over 50% Of Romanian Townspeople To Spend Less For '09 Winter Holidays - Survey

Over 50% of Romanians living in urban areas are set to spend less for this year's winter holidays, compared with 2008, citing the economic crisis which affected their budget, according to the most recent survey by Mednet Marketing Research Center.

According to Mednet, the economic crisis also affects Romanians' plans for the winter holidays, as the average budget earmarked for Christmas and New Year amounts to 1,523 lei (EUR1=RON4.2496), with nearly 52% of respondents saying this sum is lower than last year's.

Respondents said they are willing to spend an average RON556.13 on food products specific to winter holidays, with 47.6% of them saying this sum is lower than last year's.

Non-food products specific to winter holidays, such as Christmas trees, ornaments, clothing and footwear, weigh less in people's spending budget, with townspeople earmarking an average RON321.09 for this type of products, which, 45.3% of respondents said is lower than last year's.

The survey also indicates townspeople plan to scrap several products which they bought last year, such as Christmas tree ornaments (70.4% of respondents), Christmas trees (56.5%), spirits (40.9%), cookies/cakes (32.7%), as well as white and brown goods, clothing and footwear, jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes and luxury products. Respondents also said they plan to buy fewer and cheaper products such as meat, vegetables and fruit.

According to the survey, nearly 10% of respondents earmarked an average RON1,312.50 for trips during the winter holidays, while 47.3% of them earmarked an average RON346.28 for leisure activities during the winter holidays, which, they said, is lower than last year's.

Nearly 50% of respondents earmarked an average RON526.82 for gifts, which, they said is lower than last year's. However, 81.4% of them plan to buy gifts for the winter holidays.

mediafax.ro