5.2 million Italians travelling, average spending of 72 euros on gifts – Corriere.it

The holidays are not over yet, and at the same time the desire to celebrate them with gifts for loved ones. According to research published on Wednesday by the Confcooperative Study Centre, in fact, two out of three Italians have decided to give gifts for the Epiphanyfor a total cost of 2 billion euros (100 million more than last year but 200 million less than in 2020, just before the Covid emergency began). The average disbursement per consumer – we learn – will therefore amount to 72 euros: 105 less than the 177 allocated for Christmas gifts according to Coldiretti/Ixe’.

Economic difficulties on the rise

From this point of view, as many as 3 out of 4 respondents said they “spent too much between Christmas and New Year’s” and “wanting to save given the reduction in savings, the increases in the shopping cart and the energy bill”. However welcome, the festivities have therefore come to an end for exacerbate the economic difficulties of 10 million Italians (i.e. one out of six): «It is a slice of the country to take charge of and put back on track through anti-poverty measures – says Confcooperative – and above all of active policies to face a scourge that is not only economic but also social”.

The most chosen gifts

As for the most popular gifts, given the traditions linked to the anniversary, it is not surprising that those addressed to children are the masters. With the 52% of preferences to South i prevail toyswhile in the regions of the Center the 45% of the champion opted for socks full of sweets, chocolate but also coal produced with Italian sugar. To the North instead wins theclothingchosen by 40% of consumers.

The impact of inflation and energy prices

“The greater expenditure of Italians compared to last year derives not so much from an increase in consumption – explains the president of Confcooperative Maurice Gardini in a note sent to Courier –, how much give inflation dynamicsas well as the surge in the energy costs. Strong caution remains in purchases, as demonstrated by the data from our Study Center relating to the trend of recycling Christmas gifts and hoarding them by taking advantage of the Black Friday discounts. However, inflation is still pushing the sails on spending».

Traveling in 5.2 million

Finally, the increase compared to 2022 was also revealed trips: second the estimates of Federalberghi are 5.2 million the Italians who will take advantage of the long weekend of the Befana to indulge in one last remnant of vacation, in 97.7% of cases remaining within national borders. «97% of Italians who choose Italy is a testimony of love for our nation – commented the Minister of Tourism on social networks Daniela Santanche –. But there is also 34% of compatriots who will reduce the duration of the trip due to the increases that have become unsustainable and this is a problem of which we are aware”.