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Consumption, what Albanians are buying this end of the year

2024-12-25 09:23:00, Ekonomi CNA

The end of the year holidays, regardless of economic challenges and changes in consumer behavior, continue to remain a period where Albanians are inclined to spend more to preserve traditions and the festive atmosphere. This season creates a combination of familiar traditions and new trends, invigorating economic activity and driving purchases in certain specific categories.

Beyond the usual purchases like clothing, decorations and specialty foods, there is an ever-increasing interest in technology products and unique items that create a special holiday experience. Another trend is the increase in demand for limited editions and decorations that bring the feeling of exclusivity, such as Christmas trees, which can be artificial or natural, and accompanying accessories; or products like Advent Calendar.

At the same time, it is not the same for all sections of society. Inflation and rising costs have affected many families' holiday budgets, bringing restrictions on spending and a more cautious approach to priorities. For some, this period remains laden with sacrifices, while for others, it is an opportunity to invest in quality products, or to experience special moments.

According to an observation made by "Monitor", favorite products during the end of the year holidays were:

– Party wear and accessories:

During the holiday season, Albanians pay special attention to festive clothing and accessories to reflect the joyful atmosphere of the season. Beyond buying ordinary clothes, they often choose special and specially designed items for this period. Atelier "Bel Eve" reports an increase in requests for exclusive creations, which include clothing with bright colors, festive motifs and symbolic details that represent the spirit of the holidays. For example, a personalized T-shirt starts from 1500 ALL, while the most requested products are for children, due to the celebrations and increased activity in kindergartens and schools.

For many Albanians, the end of the year is the ideal time to renew the wardrobe and buy new accessories, such as bags, watches, jewelry and shoes. According to some communications with retail stores, physical and online stores see an increase in demand for such products during the festive period, especially for gifts. The costs for these products can range from 5,000 to 30,000 ALL for special items and well-known brands, which are requested to be given away during the end of the year.

As for decorative accessories, stores like "Nova Home" and "Megatek" have noticed a significant increase in sales this year, especially for Christmas trees, whether artificial or natural. The cost of a fir tree starts from 8000 ALL, while the demand is focused on different models that meet the tastes and preferences of consumers. Also, accompanying decorations, such as LED lights, decorative balls and other festive elements, have been preferred to create a warm and festive atmosphere in Albanian homes.

Meanwhile, in the "Oda Shop" store, not only fir trees and ornaments are offered, but also various kitchen items that help families prepare for festive dinners. "This year we have noticed a great interest not only in traditional decorations, but also in practical kitchen products, such as festive tableware sets and kitchen tools with year-end motifs. "Albanian families want to give a special and curated look to every aspect of the celebrations," says the store's representative. This kind of diversity has attracted consumers who want to give importance to every detail, turning the home into a space of warmth and festive cheer.

The combination of clothes, decorations and practical products reflects the desire of Albanians to have a curated look and a pleasant environment during the holidays, bringing a combination of tradition with modern trends.

– Food and Drinks:

The end of the year holidays mark a period when festive food and drinks occupy an important place in the spending of Albanian consumers. Albanian culinary traditions remain at the center of attention, including the preparation of rich meat dinners, salads and traditional desserts such as baklava and kadaifi. In addition to these, the trends of recent years show a growing interest in imported products, especially premium spirits, quality wines and special ingredients that add sophistication to the festive table.

According to representatives of "Big Market", in the second half of December, a significant increase in sales was observed, especially in the category of alcoholic beverages and dairy products, which are necessary for the preparation of traditional recipes. The demand for quality products has been higher this year, reflecting the effort of families to create a special atmosphere, despite the economic challenges.

On the other hand, traditional sweets continue to dominate the list of preferences. "Sultan Baklava" patisserie reports a high flow of orders for baklava, one of the most popular desserts for this period. "The costs of one kilogram of baklava start from 1,800 lek and this year we have had many requests for customized variants, with additions such as nuts, pistachios or citrus-flavored syrup," says the representative of the pastry shop.

Also, the increase in demand for fast products such as industrial sweets and soft drinks shows that many consumers prefer to combine convenience with tradition. These trends reflect the diversity of Albanians' ways of celebrating, where each family tries to bring a unique experience to the festive table.

– Electronics:

A noticeable increase in purchases of electronic products and smart devices has been observed during the festive period of the end of the year, a trend that shows that Albanians are spending more on technology to improve their living experience. This includes a wide range of products from phones, smart home devices and more.

According to the information received by "Neptun", the demand has been mainly for smart TVs, a product category that has continued to attract the attention of consumers this year as well. In addition to entertainment devices, televisions that offer high image quality and options for streaming services have become a favorite for many Albanian families. The offer for smart TVs varies from the lowest costs, for basic models, to the most expensive ones, which go up to 100 thousand ALL. This trend shows increased interest in the quality of entertainment and the improvement of home environments with advanced technology.

Apart from TVs, demands for other smart home devices are also increasing. This includes products that enable the automation of everyday functions, such as robotic sweepers, virtual assistants that manage devices in the home, and advanced security systems that can monitor the home remotely, according to communications with "Shpresa AL." These products have become more and more widespread, reflecting a change in the preferences of Albanian consumers, who are increasingly interested in bringing technology into every aspect of their lives.

-Expenses for home decor and furniture:

Some Albanians prefer to renovate their home on the eve of the New Year holidays, investing in new furniture, interior decorations and new lighting. This also includes buying mirrors, rugs, curtains and other elements that give the home a new and festive feel. Furniture and decoration stores offer discounts and special offers for this period, making them an attractive option for extra spending. The costs for these products can vary from 10,000 to 50,000 ALL, depending on the products and brands.

-Toys:

Demand for toys has seen a marked increase during the holiday season, reflecting parents' desire to surprise children with gifts that will bring joy and spark their imaginations. Toys are always an important part of the end-of-year celebrations and this year, stores have offered a wide range of options to suit the different needs and preferences of children. According to the representatives of "House of Toys", one of the most popular stores for the sale of toys, the demand has been high for educational toys, those that help develop the motor and mental skills of children. Also, technology toys are in high demand, such as interactive ones that can communicate with children and provide them with entertainment and learning opportunities at the same time. "This year we have seen great interest in toys that combine fun with education, especially for children aged 3-7 years, on average 3,500 ALL is spent per child" - said a representative of the store.

Also, the "AlbaGame" store has reported an increase in demand for games and electronic toys, such as game CDs and accessories for them, which have become a favorite gift among young people. "In this period, the most requested games are those that enable multiplayer opportunities and virtual experiences, which make the holidays more special and unforgettable" - they say.

– Photo sets:

Also, photography services have been increasingly in demand during the holiday season. With the increase in the use of social media and the desire of individuals to document every important moment of their lives, many people have chosen to invest in professional services to create memories.

According to the "Amarildo Thomaj Photography" studio, the requests for photographic services have been high during this season, especially for the photo sessions that take place in the studio. This trend has come as a result of weather conditions with lower temperatures, which makes them prefer closed and warm environments to realize beautiful images. In addition, there have also been requests for photographs taken in special settings such as parties organized in spaces decorated with traditional year-end motifs. The cost of such services, according to the studio, starts from 10,000 ALL and may vary from packages and specific customer requirements. Services also include personalized options such as group photos, images of families and children, as well as the ability to create albums and souvenirs with the most beautiful images from the holidays.

-Expenses for entertainment activities and private organizations:

Another important category of expenses is for entertainment activities, such as organizing private parties, dinners and special events with friends and family. Many Albanians, especially those who live in big cities like Tirana, prefer to organize festive evenings in popular restaurants or private bars, where they can spend the night with food, drinks and musical activities. The cost for a celebratory dinner in a medium-sized restaurant can range from 3,000 to 10,000 ALL per person, depending on the place and the program offered.

Tasting Tour

Another area where Albanians spend a lot during the year-end period is travel. Many families and individuals prefer to spend the end of the year abroad, either to relax on the coast, in mountain destinations or to visit other places at home and abroad. Data shows that a significant portion of the holiday budget goes to travel. Airline tickets are among the most common expenses. According to statistics obtained from tourism agencies in the capital, Albanians have spent on travel and tourist activities, choosing more distant destinations during the year-end period, where places like Dubai and Lapland in Finland have been the trend of recent years.

-Extra expenses:

Another sector where Albanians spend more during the winter is energy and heating. With temperatures dropping sharply, many households are increasing their heating costs, either through the use of wood, gas or electric stoves. These costs are common at the end of the year when energy demand is higher due to weather conditions. Also, the demand for wood or pellets has been high./ Monitor magazine