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Did you leave it to buy a Father's Day gift last minute? See tips for saving

SÃO PAULO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) - Choosing the ideal gift and making it fit into the budget are the main challenges for those who shop on Father's Day. A Google survey, published last week, showed that 43% of consumers said...

Did you leave it to buy a Father's Day gift last minute? See tips for saving
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SÃO PAULO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) - Choosing the ideal gift and making it fit into the budget are the main challenges for those who shop on Father's Day. A Google survey, published last week, showed that 43% of consumers said they had no idea what to buy for their father figure, and that half of purchases should be made in the final stretch: 23% in the week of the celebration, 13% the day before and 14% just on Sunday itself.

Rushing, however, can be costly. In addition to reducing the time to research prices, last-minute rushes tend to encourage impulse purchases and reduce the chance of comparing offers between different stores.

A survey by FecomercioSP (Federation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of São Paulo) showed that, this year, the basket of products sought after for Father's Day was 4.09% more expensive, below the country's official inflation for the period, of 4.52%. See below gifts that may weigh more and less on your pocket.

The biggest increase was recorded by chocolate bars and bonbons, which became 16.37% more expensive, reflecting the spike in the international price of cocoa. Perfumes (12.25%), video games (11.24%), shaving products (9.19%), computers (8.87%) and hair products (8.18%) also saw significant increases.

On the other hand, several items were below inflation or even saw a price drop. This is the case of stereos (-5.14%), telephones (-1.89%), wines (-1.58%), televisions (-0.36%) and bicycles (-0.04%). Among the more traditional gifts, clothes also had more moderate readjustments, such as men's shirts and t-shirts (2.53%), shorts (3.61%) and wristwatches (3.93%).

In the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, the behavior was similar. The gift basket accumulated inflation of 4.9%, in line with the national index. The biggest increases also came from chocolates (17.79%), shaving products (14.86%), hair products (11.42%) and perfumes (10.92%), while ground coffee (-17.83%), wine (-4.34%) and telephone devices (-0.46%) registered a drop.

Even with the drop in prices, retail revenue is expected to increase 9.3% compared to 2025, according to a survey by Ibevar (Brazilian Institute of Retail & Consumer Market Executives). The study shows a 12.2% increase in average spending per consumer on the commemorative date compared to last year. However, an estimated reduction in the number of buyers (2.3 million fewer than last Father's Day).

A survey carried out by the financial services provider DM corroborates the data collected by Ibevar. According to this survey, 47.2% of people interviewed plan to spend more on Father's Day than last year and 34.8% are expected to spend more than R$500 on gifts.

The prospect of increased revenue is not restricted to retail. The bar and restaurant sector sees Father's Day as an opportunity to increase sales. According to a survey by Abrasel SP (Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants in São Paulo), 68% of companies interviewed in the state plan to make more money this weekend.

Despite the relatively favorable scenario compared to last year, Senacon (National Consumer Secretariat), from the Ministry of Justice, recommends caution for those who intend to take advantage of the last days of shopping. According to the agency, the proximity of the date increases the chance of consumers accepting higher prices or closing a deal without checking important conditions.

Senacon recommends some precautions to avoid problems with purchases made in a hurry: - Research before buying: even with little time, it is worth comparing prices between physical stores and websites. Highly sought-after products in the final stretch may have significant price differences.- Check the delivery time: confirm whether the product will arrive before Father's Day.- Remember the right to regret: when purchasing online, over the phone or in a catalogue, the consumer can cancel the purchase within seven days of receiving the product, with a full refund of the amount paid.- Check the exchange policy: in physical stores, exchanges based on size, color or personal taste are not mandatory and depend on the establishment's policy. The ideal is to confirm the rules before paying.- Defective products remain protected: even in sales and promotions, the Consumer Protection Code guarantees the same rights for products that are defective.- Keep proof: invoice, receipts, advertisements and proof of payment may be necessary if you need to complain later.- Be wary of offers that are far below the market: check that the website is official and avoid clicking on links sent via messages or social networks without confirming the origin.

Source: Noticias ao Minuto

This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto. Visit the original publication for further details.

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