ZAGREB, 24 March (Hina) – In the four weeks leading up to this year’s Easter, more than €2.26 billion is expected to be spent in Croatia—around 9% more than last year, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) said on Tuesday, urging consumers to choose domestic products whenever possible.

Positive trends in retail trade turnover have been recorded since the beginning of the year, and their continuation is expected in the weeks leading up to and during Easter, the HGK said.

“This suggests that holiday spending, both in terms of the number of receipts issued and their total value, could surpass last yearчs levels,” the HGKчs Trade Sector assessed.

It cites data from the Tax Administration on fiscalised receipts in the retail sector (excluding motor vehicles and motorcycles), which confirm continued growth in consumption in the period from the start of the year to 22 March. In that period, the number of receipts increased by 2.31%, while their total value rose by 6.40%.

According to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, in January 2026, compared with the same period the previous year, calendar-adjusted retail turnover increased in real terms by 3%.В This continues the growth in real retail turnover, which has now lasted for 34 consecutive months on an annual basis, the HGK noted.

It also pointed out that last year, during the four Easter weeks, 119.5 million receipts were issued, generating turnover of €2.07 billion.

Certain fluctuations may be influenced by the calendar timing of Easter, as it is a movable holiday, which is why a longer period needs to be observed to obtain a more realistic picture, the HGK said.

“Assuming the continuation of current trends, it is estimated that more than €2.26 billion will be spent in the four weeks leading up to Easter this year, or around 9 per cent more than last year,” the HGK said, noting that Easter week traditionally brings a peak in consumption, particularly in the three days preceding Easter’s Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday with the highest value of fiscalised receipts expected on Friday, when most fresh food is purchased.

For example, on Good Friday 2025, €110.67 million was fiscalised in the retail sector.

A call for consumers to choose domestic products

The HGK also highlighted that at the beginning of the year the international environment was relatively stable, but the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in March sharply worsened economic conditions and increased uncertainty.

The conflict disrupted energy supplies and led to a sharp rise in prices, and this effect could spill over into the entire supply chain.

“Despite the high level of uncertainty and the challenging environment caused by geopolitical instability, and consequently higher prices of energy and fertilisers, as well as rising production costs, retail turnover both in terms of the number and the value of fiscalised receipts has shown a positive trend since the start of the year,” said Maja Bogović, Director of the HGK Trade Sector.

These indicators, she added, suggest that during the upcoming Easter holidays, assuming market disruptions remain at minimal levels, a higher level of consumption than last year could be recorded.

“At the same time, it is important for consumers to choose domestic products whenever possible, as this directly supports local production, the economy and the preservation of jobs,” Bogović said.