The merchants were confident, but for now we spend on the SZÉP card not in the store, but in tourism
While retailers held optimistic expectations, it appears that concerns from the tourism sector about a potential shift in spending patterns due to the option of using SZÉP cards (Employer Provided Recreation Card) at grocery stores might have been unfounded.
Bank Consensus on Spending Patterns
Despite the expansion of spending options, banks unanimously observe that cardholders continue to allocate the majority of their SZÉP card balances towards accommodation and dining. Only a smaller portion is directed towards leisure and recreation activities. The average spending per transaction doesn’t reveal a significant surge in grocery shopping. One might assume that people spend relatively less at supermarkets compared to expenses like accommodations or family dinners. However, the new regulations haven’t brought about substantial changes in this aspect. In fact, at OTP Bank, the average transaction value increased by 1.7%.
Statistics from MBH Bank and OTP
According to MBH Bank, since August 1st, 11% of transactions and 13.5% of total spending occurred in grocery stores. Similar data from OTP Bank for the first ten days of August indicated that 12.2% of spending was in grocery stores. This implies that the amount spent using OTP SZÉP cards in grocery stores during this period didn’t surpass one and a half billion Hungarian forints.
Despite expectations, the availability of SZÉP card usage at grocery stores hasn’t drastically changed spending patterns. Hospitality and accommodation sectors continue to benefit from the cardholders’ preferences, while supermarkets are not witnessing a significant shift in consumer behavior.
Related news
Hotels and restaurants in Hungary have become the most expensive in the EU – Lake Balaton’s price advantage is melting away
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >Visit Hungary and the Hungarian Tourism Academy launch renewed tourism training
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >The application phase of the E-bike Program 2025 has been closed
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >Related news
Pensioner vouchers: each chain entices customers differently
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >A taste journey at Auchan: customers are welcomed with the cuisines of 13 nations
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >The 6th Bodrogi PET Cup has begun
🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Lejátszás Szünet Folytatás Leállítás Nyelv: Auto…
Read more >