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Since ancient times holidays and festivals have brought people together to celebrate. The togetherness and celebratory mood have also attracted merchants to the celebrations hoping to cash in on the celebration.
bars and restaurants as well as in liquor and grocery stores for those dining or partying at home. The beverage category probably includes non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic beverages. Other planned purchases include St. Patrick's Day apparel, for both humans and pets (31%), decorations (26%) and candy (16%). Obviously many people indicated plans to purchase one category items. Candy and apparel appear to appeal mainly to younger buyers (18-24 age group).
Irish have been coming to America since colonial times and have been a major demographic group in the United States. Currently about 33 million Americans representing 10.5% of the population (as of 2013) claim Irish descent. If you add in those of Scot-Irish descent (i.e., those who ancestors came from the Protestant Northern Ireland) the number becomes larger. Also, due to intermarriage, many people check the box for the ethnic group of another part of their family.
Former President Barack Obama is considered to be of Black or African ancestry but is half-Irish on his mother's side. Then there are Americans of Hispanic and Mexican decent with Irish last names. Many Irish left Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries for Spain and many then moved on to Mexico and what is now the American southwest. While they still have the Irish surname they probably consider themselves Hispanic rather than Irish.
Finally, when it comes to listing Presidents of Irish ancestry (a category that includes both Irish and Scot Irish) 22 American Presidents from Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the U.S. to Barack Obama, 44th President of the U.S., almost half of them in our 242 years as an independent nation have been of Irish ancestry.
However, on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, everyone claims to be Irish even if it is only for that day. And, the nation's retailers are more than happy with the flood of green dollars that flow into their cash registers from all their "Irish for a Day" customers.
In the U.S. Christmas has long been the premier holiday for merchant sales. But other holidays - Halloween, Valentine's Day and Easter, have also resulted in major increases in retail sales. While not as big as Christmas, St. Patrick's Day has been another holiday in which merchants in recent years have seen a sales bump.
St. Patrick's Day 2018 is projected to be a very good year because it falls on a Saturday which means that for most people it is a day off as well. Since the next day, Sunday, is also not a work day for many, people can stay out celebrating and spending more money until late in the night. According to the National Retail Federation St. Patrick's Day spending should reach $5.9 Billion dollars.
Despite the fact that St. Patrick's Day has long been associated with consumption of alcohol and bars being the major beneficiaries of the holiday's spending, 50% of those surveyed indicated that they would be purchasing food with only 41% planning on purchasing alcohol. Food sales would include spending in restaurants as well as grocery stores for those planning on parties in their homes. Beverage sales would include purchases in
Even Pets Get Into the Holiday
(Photo Copyright © 2009 by Chuck Nugent)
bars and restaurants as well as in liquor and grocery stores for those dining or partying at home. The beverage category probably includes non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic beverages. Other planned purchases include St. Patrick's Day apparel, for both humans and pets (31%), decorations (26%) and candy (16%). Obviously many people indicated plans to purchase one category items. Candy and apparel appear to appeal mainly to younger buyers (18-24 age group).
Irish have been coming to America since colonial times and have been a major demographic group in the United States. Currently about 33 million Americans representing 10.5% of the population (as of 2013) claim Irish descent. If you add in those of Scot-Irish descent (i.e., those who ancestors came from the Protestant Northern Ireland) the number becomes larger. Also, due to intermarriage, many people check the box for the ethnic group of another part of their family.
Former President Barack Obama is considered to be of Black or African ancestry but is half-Irish on his mother's side. Then there are Americans of Hispanic and Mexican decent with Irish last names. Many Irish left Ireland in the 17th and 18th centuries for Spain and many then moved on to Mexico and what is now the American southwest. While they still have the Irish surname they probably consider themselves Hispanic rather than Irish.
Finally, when it comes to listing Presidents of Irish ancestry (a category that includes both Irish and Scot Irish) 22 American Presidents from Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the U.S. to Barack Obama, 44th President of the U.S., almost half of them in our 242 years as an independent nation have been of Irish ancestry.
However, on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, everyone claims to be Irish even if it is only for that day. And, the nation's retailers are more than happy with the flood of green dollars that flow into their cash registers from all their "Irish for a Day" customers.
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