Economic Impact of Easter: Data Points

Easter is a major seasonal driver of economic activity around the world, with significant effects on retail, food, travel, and entertainment sectors. While its religious and cultural roots remain strong, Easter’s economic influence continues to grow each year. Here's a closer look at the numbers behind the holiday:

1. Retail Spending

U.S. Easter Spending (2024): According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans spent approximately $24 billion on Easter-related purchases in 2024.

Average Per Person: Consumers spent an average of $192 on items such as candy, clothing, gifts, and decorations.

Top Categories:

Candy: $3.3 billion

Gifts: $3.8 billion

Food: $7.3 billion

Clothing: $4 billion

Decorations: $1.8 billion

2. Confectionery Industry

Easter accounts for the second-highest candy sales season in the U.S. after Halloween.

Over 90 million chocolate bunnies are produced each year.

More than 16 billion jelly beans are consumed during the Easter season.

3. Travel and Hospitality

Around 20% of Americans planned to travel for Easter in 2024, according to Statista.

Hotel and airline bookings typically see a 10–15% increase during Easter week.

Family gatherings and domestic tourism drive a spike in hospitality and restaurant revenue.

4. Employment and Seasonal Jobs

Retailers and logistics companies often hire temporary staff to manage Easter sales and inventory surges.

Seasonal employment increases in distribution centers, grocery stores, and delivery services.

5. E-commerce Growth

Online Easter shopping has grown significantly, with over 40% of consumers choosing to shop online for Easter items in 2024.

Retailers invest heavily in digital marketing and online promotions during the season.

Conclusion:

Easter's economic impact is multifaceted, influencing consumer behavior, boosting revenues, and creating jobs across industries.

As consumer habits shift further online and global markets continue to commercialize the holiday, Easter’s financial footprint is expected to expand even more in coming years.