The holidays are coming: let us help you prepare stress-free!

As the festive season approaches, we're here to guide you towards a seamless holiday preparation based on footfall data. Are you stressed about the Christmas shopping rush? Wondering when the best time is to stock up on your holiday essentials? Read on to find out how our insights can save you time and reduce stress.

18 dec. 2024

At PFM, we use historical footfall data and current retail trends to identify the optimal moments for your holiday shopping. Here's what we’ve discovered:

Christmas shopping: timing is everything

The holiday rush typically peaks just before Christmas, especially on December 23 and 24. Historical data consistently shows that December 23 is the busiest day. In 2024, with Christmas falling on a Wednesday, this trend is expected to continue, making Monday, December 23, the busiest shopping day of the season.

If you want to avoid the chaos, consider shopping on Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19, when crowds are likely to be much smaller. Use these quieter days to stock up on gifts and non-perishable essentials.

While Tuesday, December 24, will also be busy, it is slightly less hectic compared to the 23rd. Additionally, Saturday, December 21, is expected to see significant traffic, acting as a runner-up to the Monday peak. 

If you're wondering about the quietest day, look no further than Christmas Day, December 25. Most stores will be closed, but keep in mind that the trend of shops opening on Christmas is growing. So, if you forget an essential item for your Christmas dinner, you may still find an open store.

When should I buy champagne and fireworks?

We all want champagne, fresh food and fireworks. Fireworks can only be purchased starting December 28, but within these parameters, we can identify the ideal moments for you to shop. Since New Year’s Eve falls on a Tuesday in 2024, the busiest day is likely to be Monday, December 30. Many people will choose this day to buy their champagne and fireworks to avoid the rush of the final day. While Tuesday, December 31, will still be busy—especially in the morning—it is expected to be less hectic than the 30th. For a smoother experience, Sunday, December 29, stands out as the best day to purchase fireworks. This day offers more options and significantly shorter queues, ensuring a more relaxed preparation for your New Year’s celebrations.

What about the time of day?

In addition to daily predictions, we can provide insights on the busiest hours to help you plan even better. While Sunday, December 22, is likely to be less crowded compared to the preceding Saturday and the following Monday, we recommend avoiding Sunday afternoon between 1 PM and 3 PM, as footfall will still be significant. On Monday, December 23, the crowds will peak further between 1 PM and 4 PM, making it one of the busiest times of the season and even the year. Similarly, the afternoon of Monday, December 30, will see high levels of footfall, so it’s best to plan around it. PFM advises shopping early in the morning or later in the evening to enjoy a smoother experience.

Last but not least, PFM wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025. Let’s remember to take care of one another because, while we count everyone, everyone counts!

At PFM, we use historical footfall data and current retail trends to identify the optimal moments for your holiday shopping. Here's what we’ve discovered:

Christmas shopping: timing is everything

The holiday rush typically peaks just before Christmas, especially on December 23 and 24. Historical data consistently shows that December 23 is the busiest day. In 2024, with Christmas falling on a Wednesday, this trend is expected to continue, making Monday, December 23, the busiest shopping day of the season.

If you want to avoid the chaos, consider shopping on Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19, when crowds are likely to be much smaller. Use these quieter days to stock up on gifts and non-perishable essentials.

While Tuesday, December 24, will also be busy, it is slightly less hectic compared to the 23rd. Additionally, Saturday, December 21, is expected to see significant traffic, acting as a runner-up to the Monday peak. 

If you're wondering about the quietest day, look no further than Christmas Day, December 25. Most stores will be closed, but keep in mind that the trend of shops opening on Christmas is growing. So, if you forget an essential item for your Christmas dinner, you may still find an open store.

When should I buy champagne and fireworks?

We all want champagne, fresh food and fireworks. Fireworks can only be purchased starting December 28, but within these parameters, we can identify the ideal moments for you to shop. Since New Year’s Eve falls on a Tuesday in 2024, the busiest day is likely to be Monday, December 30. Many people will choose this day to buy their champagne and fireworks to avoid the rush of the final day. While Tuesday, December 31, will still be busy—especially in the morning—it is expected to be less hectic than the 30th. For a smoother experience, Sunday, December 29, stands out as the best day to purchase fireworks. This day offers more options and significantly shorter queues, ensuring a more relaxed preparation for your New Year’s celebrations.

What about the time of day?

In addition to daily predictions, we can provide insights on the busiest hours to help you plan even better. While Sunday, December 22, is likely to be less crowded compared to the preceding Saturday and the following Monday, we recommend avoiding Sunday afternoon between 1 PM and 3 PM, as footfall will still be significant. On Monday, December 23, the crowds will peak further between 1 PM and 4 PM, making it one of the busiest times of the season and even the year. Similarly, the afternoon of Monday, December 30, will see high levels of footfall, so it’s best to plan around it. PFM advises shopping early in the morning or later in the evening to enjoy a smoother experience.

Last but not least, PFM wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025. Let’s remember to take care of one another because, while we count everyone, everyone counts!

At PFM, we use historical footfall data and current retail trends to identify the optimal moments for your holiday shopping. Here's what we’ve discovered:

Christmas shopping: timing is everything

The holiday rush typically peaks just before Christmas, especially on December 23 and 24. Historical data consistently shows that December 23 is the busiest day. In 2024, with Christmas falling on a Wednesday, this trend is expected to continue, making Monday, December 23, the busiest shopping day of the season.

If you want to avoid the chaos, consider shopping on Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19, when crowds are likely to be much smaller. Use these quieter days to stock up on gifts and non-perishable essentials.

While Tuesday, December 24, will also be busy, it is slightly less hectic compared to the 23rd. Additionally, Saturday, December 21, is expected to see significant traffic, acting as a runner-up to the Monday peak. 

If you're wondering about the quietest day, look no further than Christmas Day, December 25. Most stores will be closed, but keep in mind that the trend of shops opening on Christmas is growing. So, if you forget an essential item for your Christmas dinner, you may still find an open store.

When should I buy champagne and fireworks?

We all want champagne, fresh food and fireworks. Fireworks can only be purchased starting December 28, but within these parameters, we can identify the ideal moments for you to shop. Since New Year’s Eve falls on a Tuesday in 2024, the busiest day is likely to be Monday, December 30. Many people will choose this day to buy their champagne and fireworks to avoid the rush of the final day. While Tuesday, December 31, will still be busy—especially in the morning—it is expected to be less hectic than the 30th. For a smoother experience, Sunday, December 29, stands out as the best day to purchase fireworks. This day offers more options and significantly shorter queues, ensuring a more relaxed preparation for your New Year’s celebrations.

What about the time of day?

In addition to daily predictions, we can provide insights on the busiest hours to help you plan even better. While Sunday, December 22, is likely to be less crowded compared to the preceding Saturday and the following Monday, we recommend avoiding Sunday afternoon between 1 PM and 3 PM, as footfall will still be significant. On Monday, December 23, the crowds will peak further between 1 PM and 4 PM, making it one of the busiest times of the season and even the year. Similarly, the afternoon of Monday, December 30, will see high levels of footfall, so it’s best to plan around it. PFM advises shopping early in the morning or later in the evening to enjoy a smoother experience.

Last but not least, PFM wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025. Let’s remember to take care of one another because, while we count everyone, everyone counts!