Finland Times

 

Christmas shopping at a shopping Centre. Photo Lehtikuva.

The busiest season of shopping is at hand and people are believed to be lining for Christmas shopping early this week.

 

December is a busy month for watch and jewellers’ stores.

 

According to the Finnish Commerce Federation, books and jewellery sales have traditionally grown by over a hundred per cent in December compared to the average monthly sales. 

However, the growth has stalled in the last years.

 

The executive director of Finnish Goldsmith Association, Henrik Kihlman on Sunday said the final smash is expected still.

 

“Christmas trading focuses on the final days, the peak has increasingly moved to the final days. It is our hope that we surpass last year’s figures,” Kihlman told the news agency STT.

 

Christmas offer in front of shops in a market. Photo Lehtikuva.

Kihlman, however, admitted that the peak experienced during the month has not been evenly distributed across the country.

 

According to Kihlman, in small municipalities, where many people have lost their jobs, business is certainly slower than in the Helsinki city centre.

 

The managing director at Timanttiset, Sami Koskinen said sales at the business chain have been on the minus.

 

“After Saturday, which is the best day of trading, the sales have decreased by half a percentage points. However, I suppose that the December sales will roughly end up as the same as last year. If the last trading days are successful, we may exceed last year’s sales,” Koskinen said.

 

The chief operation officer of Kultajousi, Kaj Wikström on the other hand said Christmas shopping has been “slightly better” than last year.

 

“We are satisfied with the busy weekend. Hopefully we will be on the plus side in December. The world market prices for gold and silver raw materials affect the product prices; however, we have set up a campaign for the consumers entailing favourable product pricing in relation to the quality,” Wikström said.