During the traditional U.S. winter holiday shopping season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, consumer spending increased by 3.8% compared to last year, according to Mastercard data. Online spending surged by 6.7%, indicating heightened consumer enthusiasm despite a shorter holiday season.
This year, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was only 27 days, five days shorter than last year. Despite this, U.S. consumers exhibited strong spending behavior. Mastercard's SpendingPulse report showed that from November 1 to December 24, online sales grew by 6.7%, and in-store sales increased by 2.9%.
Retail experts attribute the rise in online shopping to convenience, competitive pricing, and services like "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS). Retailers like Walmart and Target increased promotions and advertising on platforms such as TikTok and Hulu to attract shoppers, emphasizing fast delivery and membership perks.
