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Exceptionally busy Saturday just before COVID-19 lockdown

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On the final day before the latest COVID-19 lockdown, people in the Netherlands made 20% more debit card payments than on a normal Saturday in November, with turnover 35% higher. The following day, the first day of the lockdown, the number of debit card payments and associated turnover were 45% lower than on a normal Sunday.

Woman in hat and scarf looks at Christmas decorations on the busy market stall, with bags and gold-colored garland in her arm.

These estimates by the Dutch Payments Association are based on measurements by transaction processor Worldline. The year-end lockdown was already in full force on the final Saturday before Christmas the previous year; the last day before that lockdown was Monday 14 December. Compared with that day, approximately 15% more debit card payments were made last Saturday, with turnover 20% higher. Compared with the final Saturday before Christmas in 2019, before the pandemic, the number of debit card transactions and turnover were approximately 5% lower.

On the final Saturday before both the lockdown and Christmas, debit card payments were particularly far above average at photography, optical and jewellery shops, bookshops, markets, hobby, sports and games retailers, and home furnishings and electronics shops. For culture, entertainment and catering, the number of debit card payments was more than 20% below the average for a Saturday.

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