“holiday season” budget rises for first time since 2008. Deloitte consultants have carried out their end of year holiday season purchasing intentions survey (2013) in 17 “greater Europe” countries (Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Germany Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia) and South Africa. A similar survey was carried out in Canada and the US. It revealed that: 1) for the first time since the start of the crisis in 2008, consumers intend to slightly increase their budget by +0.7% to €450. This rise is particularly being driven by Switzerland (+3%), Germany (+6.7%), Denmark (+1.1%) and Finland (+1.3%). The Irish appear to be the most generous with an average budget of €894, followed by Luxembourg (€825). The Polish are the most frugal with an average budget of €268, followed by the Dutch €286; 2) money and books are still the most sought-after presents; 3) books are the presents most often given, followed by chocolates, perfumes and cosmetics; 4) “online” spending has increased to a figure of 28% of total spending on presents in Europe. Germany is particularly keen on this kind of spending (47% of the budget). The Portuguese are the least likely to buy online (14%). (IL/transl.fl)