Skip to main content

This year, the holidays are expected to shape up to be yet another positive retail season – with omnichannel offerings and heavy promotions being key drivers. U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive) are expected to increase 7.1% year-over-year, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse™ annual holiday forecast. Mastercard SpendingPulse measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment and is not adjusted for inflation.

So, what does this all mean for the fast-approaching holiday season? The “Mastercard SpendingPulse: Holiday Season Retail Insights 2022” report uncovers a number of trends:

  • With holiday shopping slated to begin early again this year, some of the season’s retail growth is expected to be pulled forward in October as consumers hunt for early deals.

  • With inflation impacting consumer wallets, bargain hunting is expected to be in full force this holiday season.

  • From the return of holiday door busters to new brick-and-mortar collaborations, retailers are expected to drive consumers back into stores.

  • Consumers may be adding revamped wardrobes to their wish lists as social events and platforms have many dressing to impress.

“This holiday season, consumers may find themselves looking for ways to navigate the inflationary environment – from searching for deals to making trade-offs that allow for extra room in their gift-giving budgets.”

- Michelle Meyer, U.S. Chief Economist, Mastercard Economics Institute.

To learn more about consumer spending trends this holiday season and beyond, download “Mastercard SpendingPulse: Holiday Season Retail Insights 2022.”

Download the Report

Related Resources

AssistsvsGoals WC
Report
Assists vs goals in retail's omnichannel game

The journey of a ball to a goal may be compared to the journey of a consumer to a purchase. Learn how retailers are winning the ball through better technology and analytics to manage consumer touchpoints.

customer loyalty in the covid era tile image
Report
Customer Loyalty & Engagement in the Covid Era

Learn how retail marketers can uncover strategies to build and regain customer loyalty through pandemic recovery.

Mastercard
Blog
Buy now, pay later: Opportunities for merchants and acquirers

A new global survey found that more consumers are using buy now, pay later to make pricier purchases - a trend that's likely to continue. But consumers also want BNPL providers to make big changes.

Supply Chain Impacts, Understaffed Stores Create Customer Loyalty Challenges tile image
Retail Touchpoints
Supply chain impacts, understaffed stores create customer loyalty challenges

The 2022 Retail TouchPoints Customer Loyalty and Personalization Benchmark Report identifies the biggest challenges retailers are currently facing in both customer acquisition and customer retention as well as the tools and solutions retailers are using to sharpen their increasingly vital personalization initiatives.