Easter Monday’s clearance sales surge 32.7% above daily shopping averages, slightly outpacing Black Friday’s 32.5% increase. Retailers slash prices on unsold Easter inventory, particularly candy that attracted 92% of holiday shoppers, creating discount depths that rival November’s biggest shopping event. The UK ranks it as their second busiest shopping day, while American consumers who’re willing to switch brands for affordability find post-Easter markdowns transforming leftover holiday merchandise into unbeatable bargains across multiple categories.
Key Takeaways
- Easter Monday clearance sales surge 32.7% above daily averages, slightly exceeding Black Friday’s 32.5% increase
- Post-Easter candy clearances offer deep discounts on $3.3 billion worth of unsold inventory from 92% of shoppers
- Easter Monday ranks as the UK’s second busiest shopping day of the year
- Discount depth on Easter Monday rivals Black Friday, with 62% of consumers willing to switch brands for affordability
- Health and beauty sales rise 20% year-over-year during Easter, maintaining momentum through Monday clearances
What Makes Easter Weekend the Second-Biggest Shopping Season
Why does Easter weekend generate nearly as much shopping excitement as the December holidays? The numbers tell a compelling story.
Easter weekend ranks as the second-biggest shopping season after Christmas, with 2025’s projected spending reaching $23.6 billion, approaching the record $24 billion set in 2023. This massive scale rivals December’s performance, when holiday sales climbed 3.9% year-over-year from November to Christmas Eve.
The shopping season’s strength comes from widespread consumer participation across multiple channels. Discount stores lead with 55% of consumers planning visits, while department stores attract 44% and online retailers draw 36%. Local small businesses capture 26% of Easter shoppers, demonstrating the holiday’s broad retail reach. Nearly half of shoppers intend to purchase apparel, translating to $3.5 billion in clothing sales alone. The NRF and Prosper Insights have tracked this phenomenon since 2003, consistently showing Easter’s retail dominance. Unlike single-day events, Easter weekend creates sustained shopping momentum that approaches Christmas levels, making it retailers’ second most lucrative period annually.
How $23.6 Billion Gets Spent During Easter Shopping Days
Where does all that Easter spending actually go? Food dominates the $23.6 billion projection, capturing $7.4 billion as families prepare holiday meals. Candy follows at $3.3 billion, with 92% of shoppers purchasing treats for baskets and egg hunts. Gifts claim $3.8 billion, while clothing attracts $3.5 billion in spending.
Shoppers’ cross channel timing reveals strategic patterns. They’re visiting discount stores (55%), department stores (44%), and shopping online (36%) to maximize value. Small businesses capture 26% of traffic as consumers spread purchases across multiple venues.
The spending breakdown shows clear priorities. While decorations have grown from $1 billion to $1.7 billion since 2019, flowers remain steady at $1.9 billion. Even non-celebrants contribute, averaging $25.43 per person.
Post holiday budgeting considerations shape these decisions. Lower-income households under $50,000 limit spending, yet overall consumer investment increases by $12 per person from last year. This distribution reflects how Americans balance tradition with financial reality during Easter’s shopping days.
Why Post-Easter Clearance Sales Rival Black Friday Discounts
How do Easter Monday clearance events stack up against America’s biggest shopping phenomenon? The data reveals surprising similarities between post Easter discounts and Black Friday deals. While Black Friday’s electronics peaked at 29% off, Easter Monday clearance brands match these levels when targeting unsold holiday inventory.
The shopping dynamics show remarkable parallels:
- Sales Volume: Easter Monday sales jumped 32.7% above daily averages, nearly matching Black Friday’s 32.5% increase
- Traffic Patterns: Easter Monday ranked as the UK’s second busiest shopping day, demonstrating its retail power
- Discount Depth: Post Easter clearances offer deep discounts comparable to Black Friday’s promotional levels
- Shopping Behavior: Both events see consumers hunting for deals, with 62% willing to switch brands for affordability
What’s particularly noteworthy is that Black Friday discount levels now match ongoing yearly promotions, while Easter Monday maintains its edge through targeted inventory clearances. This positions Easter Monday as an equally compelling shopping opportunity for bargain hunters.
Easter Shopping Categories That Drive Maximum Savings
Beyond timing advantages, specific product categories create exceptional savings opportunities during Easter Monday clearances. Candy tops the list with 92% of consumers spending $3.3 billion total, making post-holiday candy savings substantial when retailers slash prices on unsold inventory. The average $27.70 candy purchase transforms into deep discounts as stores clear seasonal stock.
Health and beauty products deliver surprising value, with sales jumping 20% year-over-year during Easter. This category’s momentum creates competitive pricing as retailers capitalize on the 15% transaction increase. Health beauty savings extend beyond typical holiday items, encompassing spring skincare and cosmetics lines.
Food represents the largest spending category at $7.4 billion, while clothing totals $3.5 billion in planned purchases. Both categories experience significant markdowns post-Easter.
Gift merchandise, reaching $3.8 billion in spending across discount and specialty stores, offers clearance opportunities as retailers transition inventory. These five categories account for most Easter spending, creating a diverse savings landscape that rivals major shopping events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Online Retailers Offer Better Easter Monday Deals Than Physical Stores?
Online retailers typically offer more competitive Easter Monday deals than physical stores, with discounts, free shipping, and bundle packages driving their online pricing strategies. They’ve captured growing market share while physical stores show declining growth rates.
Seller dynamics favor e-commerce platforms, where nonstore retailers dominate 62% of online sales.
Digital campaigns peak one week before Easter, and retailers respond with aggressive promotions that outpace traditional in-store offerings during this key shopping period.
Which Countries Celebrate Easter Monday as a Public Shopping Holiday?
Most European countries celebrate Easter Monday as a public holiday, including Germany, France, Austria, Netherlands, and Denmark.
Australia’s states observe it with varied shopping restrictions, while New South Wales doesn’t impose any limits.
Botswana recognizes it in Africa, but Latin American nations don’t typically observe Easter Monday.
Malta and Portugal don’t recognize it, while Spain only celebrates regionally.
These public holidays create unique shopping opportunities as retailers adjust their hours and offerings.
Can I Return Easter Items Purchased on Clearance Monday?
Shoppers can’t typically return Easter items purchased on clearance Monday since most retailers exclude clearance merchandise from their standard return policy.
They’ll find that final sale items, which often include seasonal clearance products, aren’t eligible for returns or exchanges.
However, some stores might accept returns if the clearance items weren’t marked as final sale.
Customers should check their receipt and ask about the store’s specific policy regarding discounted Easter merchandise before purchasing.
What Time Do Easter Monday Sales Typically Start?
Easter Monday sales don’t have standardized start times across retailers. Unlike Black Friday’s midnight launches, stores typically extend Easter Sunday clearance without specific time sensitive timing announcements. Most physical locations open at regular hours, while online sales often continue from Easter weekend.
Retailer timing varies by chain – some begin clearance at store opening, others roll out markdowns throughout the day. Shoppers should check individual store policies since there’s no universal Easter Monday sales schedule.
Are Easter Monday Deals Available for Non-Easter Merchandise?
Yes, retailers extend Easter Monday deals well beyond traditional holiday merchandise. They’ve recognized that 54% of non-celebrators still shop during this period, spending on non Easter items when prices drop. Smart Easter budgeting means shoppers can score electronics, toys, beauty products, and home goods at significant discounts. Department stores and online retailers particularly capitalize on this trend, with non-food ecommerce sales jumping 10.3% during Easter-influenced April shopping periods.
Conclusion
Easter Monday’s emerged as a shopping powerhouse that savvy consumers shouldn’t overlook. With retailers slashing prices on everything from decorations to spring clothing, they’re creating opportunities that match Black Friday’s intensity. The $23.6 billion Easter economy ensures stores’ll compete aggressively for shoppers’ attention through deep discounts. Smart buyers who’ve waited for post-holiday clearances know they’ll find the year’s best deals on seasonal merchandise, making Easter Monday an essential date on any bargain hunter’s calendar.
