St. Patrick’s Day spending estimated to set a record

U.S. consumers are wild for St. Patrick’s Day with an estimated 162 million Americans planning to celebrate. The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts total spending to top a record $7.2 billion, or $44.40 per household.

Spending is expected to increase 4.34% from a year ago and 22% more than in 2022.

St. Patrick’s Day, like Valentine’s Day, is a non-holiday of sorts as businesses and schools are open but consumers still find time to celebrate. NRF said more Americans will celebrate this year than 20 times the entire population of Ireland itself.

The top spending categories are food and beverages. One out of every 2 households will purchase food for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration and 44% will spend money on beverages. One in three will make an apparel purchase for the holiday and 25% will purchase decorations for the holiday. Other big spending categories include candy and greeting cards.

Wearing green is the number one way respondents said they will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with 82% wanting to avoid getting pinched. One-third of the respondents said they would plan a special dinner and 27% said they would go to a pub crawl or eat at a restaurant. Also, 26% will decorate their office or home to reflect the holiday.

With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend this year, NRF said it’s no surprise consumers are spreading Irish cheer at record levels. The trade group has been surveying consumers about the March holiday since 2007 and notes that when the holiday falls on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, participation levels rise.