The hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is a beloved holiday tradition, and Ara Kharazian, Research Lead at Square, has the data to make your search easier. From peak purchasing trends to surprising price drops, Ara shares insights to help Canadians plan their tree-buying strategy and maximize holiday cheer. —Vita Daily
What inspired Square to analyze sales trends for Christmas trees, and what do you think the data reveals about Canadian holiday shopping habits?
The neighborhood Christmas tree market is the iconic example of how small businesses power community and connection. For one month of the year, entrepreneurs nationwide turn vacant lots into economic engines, selling a product that makes people happy and does no harm.
How does it all come together so quickly? And what kinds of micro-decisions are businesses and consumers making at that critical point when they meet at the tree market. It’s genuinely fascinating. On top of that, Square might have the largest dataset out there for Christmas tree sales and prices, because it’s the platform of choice for many of these businesses.
With December 2 emerging as the busiest day for Christmas tree sales, what factors do you think contribute to that specific peak in demand?
It tends to peak on Saturdays. That’s when consumers are out, but it’s also when the weekend-only markets are operating at their peak. December 2 was the first Saturday of the month last year, so I’d expect something similar this season. We’re anticipating November 30 or December 6 to be the busiest day this year.
The data highlights significant price fluctuations throughout the season. What advice would you give to budget-conscious buyers who still want a quality tree?
There are usually some savings at the end of November where prices average $60, but if you miss that, hold out past the first two weeks of December. Prices will peak around $105, and then gradually fall from there until the end of the season.
Additionally, this year, with the announcement of the proposed HST/GST pause by the Federal Government, consumers looking to save may prefer to wait until December 14 to save further on the tax.
But ultimately, the best time to buy a tree is whenever it will maximize joy in your household.
What trends or preferences do you see among early shoppers versus last-minute buyers?
The tallest trees probably sell earlier than smaller ones. No one’s buying a 12-foot tree for a week-long display. If you tend to be picky, go early. Last year, we found that nearly three-quarters of all Christmas trees had already sold by December 9.
Personal question: what’s your fave type of Christmas tree? Full and fluffy, or Charlie Brown?
Pine. I like how distinctive the needles are.
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