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What is the commercial value of Easter celebrations?

Easter – the Christian holiday marking the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – can be traced back to the pagan celebration of the spring equinox.

Whatever your beliefs, it is impossible to deny that chocolate is now inextricably linked with Easter – more specifically, chocolate eggs, the modern-day symbol of new life.

Over recent decades, the commercial market around Easter has boomed, especially the demand for luxury goods. A cursory online search shows that it is not just supermarkets boosting profits; luxury retailers are also seizing the market opportunity. For example, royal grocer Fortnum & Mason is currently selling 25 chocolate Easter eggs online, the most expensive of which is its handpainted bunny Easter egg for £100, the equivalent of £20 for every 100g. Compare that with a Smarties milk chocolate Easter egg, sold at Tesco, which works out a mere £1.05 per 100g.

Chocolate aside, the four-day Easter break provides a growing financial boost for the UK economy: in 2022 alone, retail spending at Easter hit a massive £1.3bn, almost double the £774m spent in 2017.

Easter is a special time of year, but clearly very special for retailers and the nation.