Retailers are set to score a big victory with the Super Bowl.
A record 173 million people are expected to tune in to see the New England Patriots and New York Giants battle in the big game Feb. 5, according to a new poll from the Retail Advertising & Marketing Association.
The Super Bowl is a big deal for the retail industry because people don’t simply watch the game. They buy jerseys, hats, decorations and, of course, food to feast on.
Super Bowl Sunday is much like Halloween and Easter in the way it gives the economy a boost. People feel good and spend extra money that they wouldn’t normally part with.
This year, spending on the Super Bowl is projected to hit $11 billion, with the average person shelling out $63.87 on merchandise, apparel and snacks. That’s up from $59.33 per person last year.
The Super Bowl spurs on social gatherings with 63.6 million people expecting to attend a social event and 35.9 million people planning on hosting a party. Both figures represent an increase from 2011.
It’s also a big day for restaurants. The National Restaurant Association expects 48 million Americans will order takeout or get food delivered during the Super Bowl. On top of that, 2 million people plan to watch the game at a restaurant or bar, according to an article at MediaPost News.
And what’s the big game without a big screen to watch the action on? In more positive news for retailers, about 5.1 million people surveyed said they expected to buy a new TV, up from 4.5 million in 2011.
Source: MediaPost News, January 2012
