Saint Patrick was a fifth-century bishop and missionary pivotal in the conversion of the Irish to Christianity, and he is also the namesake of a significant cultural event on the island. St. Patrick’s Day, known as Lá Fhéile Pádraig in Irish, is celebrated worldwide on March 17, the purported date of the patron saint’s death.
Whether it’s locally in Ireland, next door in Great Britain, or overseas in countries like the United States, St. Patrick’s Day has a profound effect on the economy, so, let’s take a closer look at how this spending continues to rise.
St. Patrick’s Day spending in the UK doubled from 2023 to 2024
St. Patrick’s Day 2024 generated £81.3 million for the UK’s pubs, bars, and restaurants, an increase from £78.9 million the previous year.
According to statistics from card payment service Dojo, expenditures per transaction increased by an average of 3.12% in pubs, bars, and restaurants throughout St. Patrick’s Day weekend this year compared to 2023. The average expenditure per transaction increased to £15.19, compared to £14.73 the prior year.
Although London hosts the largest population of Irish citizens in Great Britain, the London Irish did not excel in average expenditure.
During the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Chelmsford had an average expenditure of £24.89 per transaction in pubs, bars, and restaurants, the most among all cities in the UK. Residents in Chelmsford outspent Londoners by £0.59, with revelers in the city averaging £24.30 per transaction, reflecting a year-on-year reduction of 0.29%.
Perth, situated on the River Nay in Scotland, had the highest expenditure among all Scottish cities for St. Patrick’s Day, with an average transaction amounting to £22.68, as determined by Dojo. Residents of Perth raised their expenditure by 10.36% year-over-year, surpassing that of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.
Notwithstanding the elevated price of beer and the cost-of-living issue, on-trade establishments should be encouraged by the rise in expenditure in 2023.
Last year, St. Patrick’s Day, the concluding matches of the Six Nations, and Mother’s Day occurred within a three-day span, offering a significant uplift for the business. Due to a surge in interest in Guinness, stout sales reached an impressive 2.7 million pints (about £13 million), a sum allegedly 1,000,000 pints greater than on St. Patrick’s Day the previous year. Subsequently, the ‘Super Saturday’ of Six Nations matches resulted in the sale of 13.1 million pints of beer and cider, as per the data—an increase of 65 pints per bar relative to a normal weekend.
It is so reassuring for hotel enterprises to observe sales statistics in 2024 surpassing those of previous March.
St. Patrick’s Day spending could be the next biggest earner next to X-Mas
The observance of St. Patrick’s Day is incomplete without the consumption of beer, particularly Irish beer. It is a day of indulgence, libation, and celebration that has positively influenced the economy.
On average, Ireland generated over €70 million in income from March 16 to 20, whereas the United States accumulated about $5.2 billion at the same time. Statistics reveal that, on average, individuals in Ireland expend around $57.38 alone on beer during St. Patrick’s Day. The statistics exclude the count of taxi rentals by inebriated patrons who refrain from driving under the influence. Retail establishments, apparel and costume shops, dining establishments, and hotels all experienced significant business growth throughout the five days of this notable event.
Notably, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade occurs not in Ireland, but in the United States. The cities of New York and Chicago hold the greatest yearly events, drawing millions of revelers each year. The 2016 US census elucidates this pattern, revealing that over 36 million Americans are of Irish ancestry. Moreover, the National Retail Federation, USNews, WalletHub, and Fox Business indicate that those aged 15 to 27 expend an average of €35.56 on St. Patrick’s Day, and those aged 35 to 44 spend in excess of €40.56.
In line with this tendency, economic analysts currently forecast that St. Patrick’s Day may become the subsequent lucrative opportunity in the retail sector following Christmas. Explore further on the economic implications here.
Tourism-fuelled marketing plans
It’s no surprise that casinos, both online and terrestrial, benefit heavily from their St. Patrick’s Day promotions. Is ‘The luck of the Irish,’ real? Consumers, especially tourists, want to know, during this holiday, as the best Irish slots and casino games you can find on Gambling.com are one of the several activities people involve in their celebrations.
Online casinos in Ireland, and around the world, frequently include tourism-themed motifs in their marketing tactics. In Ireland, casinos will provide promotions associated with national holidays or cultural festivals, such as St. Patrick’s Day, which is a notable attraction for tourists. These initiatives frequently integrate Irish cultural icons, enhancing their appeal to both domestic and foreign participants.
Comprehending the interplay between tourism and online casino developments in Ireland provides significant insights into their mutual effect. Tourism not only enhances the local economy but also significantly influences the themes and marketing techniques of online casinos. The expansion of the online gambling sector presents an opportunity to harness the relationship between St. Patrick’s Day, tourism and online casinos, therefore fostering more immersive and culturally pertinent experiences for players. Tourism and online gambling interaction during St. Patrick’s Day is expected to grow increasingly important as both sectors advance.
St. Patrick’s Day in the USA is a big deal
As per the most recent data released by the National Retail Federation, in 2024, the typical American expended $44.40 on St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Approximately 62% of the population participated in the celebrations, resulting in a record-high total expenditure of $7.2 billion for St. Patrick’s Day nationwide.
In 2024, the average expenditure per individual had a 1.3% annual growth, reflecting a deceleration compared to prior years. St. Patrick’s Day spending per capita increased 3.8% in 2022 and 3.6% in 2023.
The data indicates that, except decreases in 2016 and 2021, the average expenditure on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations has predominantly increased during the last ten years. In 2014, the typical American expended $35.78 to commemorate the event. In 2015, it increased by 2.1% to $36.52, followed by a 3.1% decline in 2016, which reduced the average spending to $35.37.
Subsequent to four straight years of increase, by 2020, the ordinary American shopper expended $42.96 on St. Patrick’s Day. In 2021, this value decreased by 5.1% because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching $40.77. Expenditure per capita has increased year since then, with an average growth rate of 2.9%.
The economic wave of St. Patrick’s Day spending in the United States
The expansion of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations each year amplifies the holiday’s financial effect, establishing it as a significant economic catalyst in several areas.
Trends in consumer expenditure
St. Patrick’s Day festivities induce an increase in consumer expenditure. In the United States, holiday expenditures hit a record $7.2 billion in 2024. This figure demonstrated a 57% increase compared to 2015 expenditure figures. The National Retail Federation reports that over 60% of Americans commemorate the day by engaging in activities such as buying themed merchandise, attending events, and dining out.
Final thoughts
The national festival of a little island on the outside of Europe exerts a remarkable global influence. Beyond a mere festival of merriment, it influences the local economy by uniting communities to commemorate and expend at dining establishments, pubs, and accommodations.
Nonetheless, the true significance of St. Patrick’s Day is observable from a global perspective. St. Patrick’s Day is honored in 200 nations worldwide, with parades occurring on all continents. Promoting the culture and legacy internationally enhances Ireland’s appeal as a destination for tourism and commerce.
St. Patrick’s Day, as a national holiday, bolsters Ireland, UK, USA, and many more nations economically and socially, facilitating investment and employment inside these countries, enhancing exports internationally, while commemorating the history and heritage of Ireland and aiding communities in dismantling barriers.
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