Office workers will spend an average of NT$4,825 (US$146) on Lunar New Year treats this year, the results of a survey released on Saturday showed.
The survey, conducted by the online recruiting firm 1111.com.tw, showed that nearly 58.65 percent of those surveyed said they would buy some treats for themselves for the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on Feb. 7.
Those who intend to spend between NT$3,000 and NT$5,000 were the largest group at 37.76 percent, followed by those who will spend between NT$1,001 and NT$3,000, at 23.89 percent.
The top-five items they intended to buy were candy and cookies, nuts and peanuts, meat jerky and shredded squid, food gift sets and seasonal fruits.
More than one-fifth would also buy prepared dishes or delicacies offered by prestigious restaurants, the survey showed.
The survey also showed that 54.59 percent said they did not attend year-end celebrations on Dec. 31.
Of those, 56.19 percent said saving money was their reason for not going out.
Asked about where they would shop for Lunar New Year treats, 68.44 percent said hypermarkets, 48.67 percent said areas specializing in Lunar New Year goods (such as Dihua St. in Taipei), and 39.53 percent said traditional markets. Some 6.49 percent of those polled said they would shop online.
More than 40 percent said they would buy goods one week before Lunar New Year's Eve while 15.34 percent said they would make their purchases two weeks before.
Asked what they liked least about buying Lunar New Year goods, 75.43 percent cited big crowds, 43.94 percent said the products weren't fresh and 41.7 percent said they would have to overpay for some items.
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