Best Shopping Saturday Deals in Lower and Upper Austria

Shopping centers in Austria are experiencing a surge in customer turnout, with significant attendance reported during the Advent weekends. Positive trends include a 20% increase in traffic compared to last year, boosted by favorable weather and new store openings. Popular gifts this season include gift vouchers, toys, and electronics, with retailers optimistic about matching last year’s sales figures. Some areas, however, face challenges, such as a lack of festive atmosphere, despite high customer turnout due to discounts.

High Customer Turnout at Shopping Centers

In the Shopping City Süd (SCS) located in Vösendorf, District of Mödling, a remarkable influx of shoppers was reported by General Manager Zsolt Juhasz, matching the impressive numbers from the first Advent weekend. Karl Ungersbäck, the Managing Director of the Trade Division in the Chamber of Commerce NÖ, noted a ‘fairly good frequency’ across various retail venues, with many Christmas markets also seeing substantial attendance.

Rainer Will, Managing Director of the Trade Association, expressed satisfaction with the results. ‘Based on our recent flash survey, the second Advent weekend has outperformed expectations for Austrian retail. Customer traffic in local shopping centers and streets has surged by up to 20 percent compared to last year,’ he revealed.

Successful Shopping Saturdays and Seasonal Trends

Although the extraordinary first Advent weekend, which coincided with Black Friday, couldn’t be entirely replicated, the following shopping Saturday proved to be exceptional. The city of Vienna welcomed a significant number of visitors, with many customers blending their Christmas shopping with a trip to nearby Advent markets, as explained by Will in a press release.

Shoppers weren’t just browsing; they were buying, even high-ticket items, according to Ungersbäck’s insights. The Christmas shopping season at Westfield SCS began more auspiciously than many had anticipated, with the first Advent weekend boasting double-digit growth in visitor numbers and strong sales increases. On the second shopping Saturday, Austria’s largest shopping center anticipated up to 90,000 guests before closing, with parking spaces frequently filled during peak hours, although an increasing number of visitors opted for public transport. The SCS also benefitted from numerous new store openings.

After a ‘very successful start,’ the City Center Amstetten (CCA) reported that the second shopping Saturday was ‘very satisfactory,’ with visitor numbers nearly four percent higher than the previous week. The overall Christmas business is cumulatively 14 percent above last year’s figures, as noted by CCA Center Manager Katharina Gfrerer. Meanwhile, in the Rosenarcade Tulln, the visitor frequency matched last year’s strong performance, although no increase was recorded.

‘This year, favorable weather has played a significant role,’ stated SCS Manager Juhasz. ‘With the recent cold temperatures, there has been a heightened demand for winter apparel and sports gear. The forecast for the coming days looks promising as well.’ After some shoppers postponed their trips on Friday due to inclement weather, Saturday’s conditions improved, encouraging more foot traffic. Events like the ‘Golden Zwettler Advent’ also positively influenced visitor numbers.

Gift vouchers have emerged as a popular choice this season, according to Juhasz. Traditional favorites such as toys, books, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and perfumes are in high demand. For teenagers and young adults, gadgets like phones and tablets lead the wish list, while electronics and sports equipment are favored by men. The CCA and Rosenarcade confirm that vouchers, books, cosmetics, and clothing are particularly sought after gifts this year.

In Upper Austria, positive feedback was also reported for the second shopping Saturday. Retailers expressed satisfaction as purchasing hesitations from previous weeks eased, and many holiday shoppers emerged. ‘If sales continue at this rate, we are cautiously optimistic about matching last year’s figures,’ remarked Christoph Redl, Managing Director of the Trade Division in the Chamber of Commerce OÖ.

While the shopping streets in Linz experienced good but not overwhelming traffic, the shopping centers saw a rise in visitor numbers, attributed to less favorable weather conditions outside, according to Redl. A survey conducted by APA across shopping centers in Linz, Steyr, and Vöcklabruck confirmed the positive trend, with many reporting a significant increase in customer frequency, including an 18 percent boost in the Linz Passage compared to last year. ‘People are excited to return to the city and enjoy socializing. The Advent markets also attract many visitors,’ stated Center Manager Julia Kretz.

Classic gifts such as toys, electronics, vouchers, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, books, and jewelry are flying off the shelves. According to Krötzl, retailers specializing in textiles and footwear are particularly benefiting from the cold weather. Sustainability and personalization are becoming increasingly important to consumers, according to Redl: ‘Shoppers are keen on giving unique and meaningful gifts to their loved ones.’

In contrast, the Kika branch in Ansfelden experienced a lack of festive spirit. The store advertised substantial discounts, attracting customers despite the absence of a cheerful pre-Christmas atmosphere. The parking lot was crowded from early morning, and long lines formed at the cash registers, where many items were discounted by 30 percent. Customers hurried to grab pieces for their homes, especially in the Christmas market and boutique areas, as shelves quickly emptied with little replenishment.

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