US Holiday Retail Sales Grow 4.8% as Consumer Confidence Rises

In-store shopping accounted for 77% of spending, while online sales saw faster growth, increasing by 7.1% year-over-year.

Visa's data shows US holiday retail spending increased by 4.8% compared to last year, reflecting broad consumer confidence despite inflationary pressures.
In-store shopping remained dominant, making up 77% of total spending, but online sales grew at a faster rate of 7.1% year-over-year.
Key spending categories included clothing and accessories (up 5%), building materials (up 4.7%), and electronics (up 4.2%).
Concerns about potential tariff-related price hikes drove significant increases in durable goods and appliance purchases starting in November.
The National Retail Federation predicts total holiday spending will reach up to $989 billion, aligning with Visa's findings of strong seasonal growth.