Hungary holiday spending could reach 2019 levels

With the government having suspended the night curfew for Christmas Eve, Hungarians have “stormed shops” and could end up spending as much during the holidays as last year, the daily Magyar Nemzet said on Wednesday.

Holiday shopping in Hungary typically picks up in the days leading up to Dec. 24, György Vámos, the chief secretary of national retailers association OKSZ, told the paper.

However, the government’s decision to soften restrictions for Christmas Eve, when Hungarians traditionally open their gifts, has now also encouraged spending, he said.

Vámos said it was possible that holiday spending in Hungary could even reach 2019 levels.

Though Hungarians appeared to be cutting back on their holiday spending in the period leading up to Christmas, retail trade was gaining momentum, Vámos said.

Shops in Hungary close at 7pm on Dec. 23 and at 2pm on Dec. 24 before reopening on Dec. 27, he noted.

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Source: MTI