St Thorlak’s Mass has always been one of the biggest days of the year for retailers and restaurateurs.
mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
Domestic online shopping has been doing exceptionally well in the run-up to Christmas and has exceeded expectations in many respects, especially in November and early December.
This is what Benedikt S. Benediktsson, CEO of the Icelandic Association of Retailers and Service Providers, said in an interview with mbl.
“There”s no other way to say it than that it’s been very successful,” Benediktsson says.
He says final sales figures are not available, but domestic online shopping has increased significantly this year, although international competition is, of course, having an impact.
The city center is packed on St Thorlak’s Mass
A large crowd usually flocks to the city center on St Thorlak’s Mass which is today, and Benediktsson says he’s optimistic that the tradition will continue. He’s not too worried about the weather forecast for the evening.
“Icelanders are now used to having to dress for the weather. There’s a great atmosphere down there in the city center when a lot of people show up.”
Shopping has generally moved up over the year, according to Benediktsson.
“So I don’t think people’s expectations are now that it will be as big a shopping day as in the old days, but people are still just optimistic.”