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Holiday Spending

Valentine’s spending is up, but consumer participation is down

Just 51 percent adults in the U.S. are expected to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2019

02/14/2019 | ConsumerAffairs

By Sarah D. Young

Sarah D. Young has been a columnist for a blog ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Sarah Young 

American consumers will spend nearly $21 billion for Valentine’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). But although Valentine’s spending is up 5.6 percent from last year, shopper participation in the holiday has dropped in recent years.

“Ten years ago, more than 60 percent of adults planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day; today, that’s dropped to just over half,” the NRF said.

“At the same time, spending for the holiday has continued to rise and ...

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Survey shows couples going overboard on Valentine’s Day spending

A poll finds both men and women spend more than their partner expects

02/05/2019 | ConsumerAffairs

By Mark Huffman

Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Mark Huffman  Phone: 866-773-0221
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Just like Christmas, Valentine’s Day is fast becoming a holiday on which consumers spend too much money and sometimes go into debt.

A new survey from LendingTree found that couples plan to spend an increasing amount of money, often a lot more than their significant others expect them to. Men tend to be the biggest spenders, typically shelling out almost two and a half times what their significant others expect on what was once a fairly minor holiday.

The survey found that...

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Pop culture a major influence on this year's Halloween costumes

Minions and “Star Wars” character costumes are the biggies

09/21/2015 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

Hollywood and pop culture are having a big impact again this year on how adults and their children decide to dress for Halloween.

 

The National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2015 Halloween Consumer Top Costumes Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, finds Minions and “Star Wars” characters have each made an appearance on all three top costume lists -- adults, children's, and pets.

 

 

Maintaining their 11 year reign, princess costumes will top the children’s costume ...

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Some pre-holiday shopping advice

Experts weigh in on when and how to shop

10/18/2015 | ConsumerAffairs

By Mark Huffman

Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Mark Huffman  Phone: 866-773-0221
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Retailers are a bit nervous in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2015 holiday shopping season. It remains to be seen how consumers will react.

Will they spend the money they've saved this year on gasoline? Or, will they use that money to pay existing bills and add to savings?

The evidence so far suggests shoppers will be careful with money and look for bargains. Heading into the holiday season, sales have been lackluster and even the National Retail Federation predicts only a modest increase in sales over last year.

“This provides opportunities for retailers and brands to continue to drive sales for a strong year-end finish,” said Lance Eliot, of Interactions, a retail marketing service. 'It’s not surprising that retailers plan for Black Friday sales to make up for any profit shortfalls but how they enable those sales may take some retailers by surprise.”

Buying before Halloween

Eliot cites a report predicting one-third of shoppers will begin buying Christmas gifts before Halloween. For those who are trying to save on holiday purchases, Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta, a shopping app, says it will pay to shop early.

“Don’t wait until December to begin buying all your gifts,” he said. “Start scanning sales and stocking up now, since stores typically clear inventory from the previous season and year to fill their shelves with brand new products.”

He says it's also critical to make a budget. By setting a budget now and already having gifts in mind, you’ll be able to scope rebates, coupons, and deals over the next few months, instead of spending a fortune in last minute panic buying.

He also says it will help save money if you plan holiday meals well in advance.

Saving on meals

“Holiday shopping doesn’t just mean gifts under the tree, but a season full of hor’dourves, cocktail hours, and tasty dinners spent with family and friends,” Leach said. “Avoid unnecessary stress over last minute menus by picking out recipes in advance and purchasing any dry goods that you think you may need.”

Meanwhile, the bargains have already started. BestBlackFriday.com reports Sony has cut the price of its popular PlayStation 4 game system to $349.99, which is a discount of $50 from the usual price of $399.99. The discount will remain in place thoughout the holiday season.

Retailers are a bit nervous in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2015 holiday shopping season. It remains to be seen how consumers will react.

Will they spend the money they've saved this year on gasoline? Or, will they use that money to pay existing bills and add to savings?

The evidence so far suggests shoppers will be careful with money and look for bargains. Heading into the holiday season, sales have been lackluster and even the National Retail Federation predi...

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Holiday sales (already?) seen increasing 4% this year

People looking for seasonal employment may benefit

10/08/2014 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221
Photo
© Syda Productions - Fotolia.com

We're still 3 weeks from Halloween and the National Retail Federation (NRF) is out with its forecast from sales during the Christmas shopping season.

The NRF says despite a turbulent start to 2014, it sees sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurant sales) jump 4.1% to $616.9 billion – up 1% from the 2013 increase.

Holiday sales on average have grown 2.9% over the past 10 years, including 2014’s estimates, and are expected to represent approximately 19.2 percent of the retail industry’s annual sales of $3.2 trillion. This would mark the first time since 2011 that holiday sales would be up more than 4%.

“Retailers could see a welcome boost in holiday shopping, giving some companies the shot in the arm they need after a volatile first half of the year and an uneventful summer,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “While expectations for sales growth are upbeat, it goes without saying there still remains some uneasiness and anxiety among consumers when it comes to their purchase decisions. The lagging economic recovery, though improving, is still top of mind for many Americans.

Improving confidence

While consumer confidence has been unstable much of the year, improvements over the past few months in key economic indicators will give way to increased spending power among holiday shoppers. Retail sales, jobs and housing data all point to healthy gains.

“Though we have only seen consumer income and spending moderately -- and erratically -- accelerate this year, we believe there is still room for optimism this holiday season,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “In the grand scheme of things, consumers are in a much better place than they were this time last year, and the extra spending power could very well translate into solid holiday sales growth for retailers; however, shoppers will still be deliberate with their purchases, while hunting for hard-to-pass-up bargains.”

Seasonal hiring to rise 725,000 – 800,000

With the increase in sales, there's likely to be more hiring during the holiday shopping season.

NRF expects retailers will hire between 725,000 and 800,000 seasonal workers -- potentially more than they actually hired during the 2013 holiday season (768,000). Seasonal employment in 2013 increased 14% over 2012.

“These holiday positions offer hundreds of thousands of people the opportunity to turn their seasonal position into a long-term career opportunity in retail,” said Shay.

Growth in online sales expected

Meanwhile, Shop.org says it expects sales will grow between 8 – 11% percent over last holiday season to as much as $105 billion during November and December.

That projection is based on government data including, consumer credit, disposable personal income, and previous monthly retail sales releases. Holiday non-store sales grew 8.6% last year.

We're still 3 weeks from Halloween and the National Retail Federation (NRF) is out with its forecast from sales during the Christmas shopping season.

The NRF says despite a turbulent start to 2014, it sees sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurant sales) jump 4.1% to $616.9 billion – up 1% from the 2013 increase.

Holiday sales on average have grown 2.9% over the past 10 years, including 2014’s estimates, and are expected to represent a...

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'Webrooming' this holiday season's biggest shopping trend

"Showrooming" is so 2012

12/04/2013 | ConsumerAffairs

By Mark Huffman

Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Mark Huffman  Phone: 866-773-0221
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PhotoLast year it was showrooming – the practice of checking out merchandise in a store, then ordering it online, usually from some place else.

Retailers hate that and geared up this holiday season to try and counter it with aggressive online deals of their own. But consumers are on to a new trend – webrooming – according to a new survey from Harris Interactive.

Webrooming is just the reverse. A consumer will use a desktop or mobile device at home to check out deals, then head for the store to make the purchase. Retailers like that a little better, though truth be told most big box chains are now so heavily invested in an Internet sales model it probably doesn't matter.

The survey shows that nearly half of U.S. consumers – 46% – have showroomed, up only slightly from last holiday season. But this year 69% of consumers say they have webroomed.

Not mutually exclusive

Showrooming and webrooming are far from mutually exclusive. In fact, the survey shows that those who have done one are more likely to have done the other as well. Six in ten webroomers have showroomed and nearly nine in ten showroomers have webroomed.

All of this points to the importance of the Internet as a shopping tool. Consumers no longer go blindly into a transaction, with no idea what price another store might have on their item of interest.

While retailers may not like showrooming, webrooming places just as much – if not more – pressure on them. In the comfort of their home a consumer has plenty of time to visit multiple sites and conduct multiple searchers, reading multiple reviews before making a decision. In a crowded, noisy store with their smartphone, the same consumer might visit fewer sites before pushing the “buy” button.

That means retailers' websites not only have to have the best prices, their websites also have to be the most functional and easy to use.

You snooze you lose

Photo“If performance is slow, if you're on your mobile phone or a tablet, and you're not able to access the site quickly, people will abandon that transaction,” said Margaret Kuchler, Director of Industry Marketing for Akamai Technologies. “They may be less likely to revisit the site, and may be even less likely to purchase from the company in the future.”

Dr. Gary Edwards, Chief Customer Officer at Empathica, which consults the retail industry, agrees.

The takeaway for retailers is that shoppers expect the customer experience to be continuous across all channels,” he writes in a recent blog entry. “To take advantage of the webrooming trend, leading retail brands are launching initiatives that expand consumers’ access to information online, while retaining control over the customer journey by emphasizing brick-and-mortar as the customer’s final destination.” 

Other research suggests webrooming is more prevalent than showrooming among the Millennial generation. According to research conducted by the Urban Land Institute earlier this year, 50% of consumers age 18-34 prefer to research their purchase online before heading to the store, while only 11% said they preferred to showroom.

Winners

While new trends always present new opportunities for upstarts, the Harris Interactive poll suggests the established players are benefiting most. The survey shows showroomers are spending the most time at Walmart, Best Buy and Target, in that order – then doing the majority of their buying at Amazon.com.

However, Walmart, Best Buy and Target are benefiting the most from the webrooming trend, because after conducting their research at home, that's where most consumers are going to make their purchases, the survey shows.

"When it comes to the battle for consumers' holiday shopping dollars, all retailers are upping their games," said Mike de Vere, President of the Harris Poll. "Online versus brick and mortar retailers each have their own advantages, and poaching customers from competitors is all about playing to those strengths.”

It also provides more choices for consumers. Want to skip the crowded stores this holiday shopping season? Online is a clear answer. Feel better about being able to take your purchase home with you immediately? Brick and mortar stores have you covered.  

Last year it was showrooming – the practice of checking out merchandise in a store, then ordering it online, usually from some place else.

Retailers hate that and geared up this holiday season to try and counter it with aggressive online deals of their own. But consumers are on to a new trend – webrooming – according to a new survey from Harris Interactive.

Webrooming is just the reverse. A consumer will use a desktop or mobile device at home to check ou...

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Romeos and Juliets will be shelling out more for Valentine’s Day gifts this year

Jewelry and candy are expected to be among the top gifts

01/27/2015 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

PhotoSpending on Valentine’s Day gifts is expected to rise this year.

According to the National Retail Federation’s ( NRF)Valentine’s Day Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day will spend $142.31 on candy, flowers, apparel and more, compared with $133.91 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $18.9 billion -- a survey high.

“It’s encouraging to see consumers show interest in spending on gifts and Valentine’s Day-related merchandise -- a good sign for consumer sentiment as we head into 2015,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “Hoping to draw in eager shoppers, retailers will offer unique promotions on gifts, meal options at restaurants and even experiences.”

Candy, Jewelry and flowers

While most (53.2%) plan to buy candy for the sweet holiday, spending a total of $1.7 billion, one in five (21.1%) plans to buy jewelry for a total of $4.8 billion -- the highest amount seen since NRF began tracking spending on Valentine’s gifts in 2010.

Additionally 37.8% will buy flowers, spending a total of $2.1 billion, and more than one-third (35.1%) will spend on plans for a special night out, including movies and restaurants, totaling $3.6 billion. Celebrants will also spend nearly $2 billion on clothing and $1.5 billion on the gift that keeps on giving: gift cards.

Spending to increase

The survey found nine in 10 (91%) plan to treat their significant others/spouses to something special for the consumer holiday, with plans to spend an average of $87.94 on them -- versus $78.09 last year. Additionally, 58.7% will spend an average of $26.26 on other family members and $6.30 on children’s classmates/teachers.

A record one in five (21.2%) say they will include their pets in their Valentine’s Day plans, looking to spend a mere $5.28 on average -- which equates to a whopping $703 million on pint-sized gifts of all varieties.

Eyes on the wallet

Discount (35.2%) and department stores (36.5%) will be among the most visited locations for those looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, as will specialty stores (19.4%) and florists (18.7%). One-quarter (25.1%) say they will shop online and 13.3 percent will shop at a local or small business to find something unique for their loved one.

It seems women are in for the biggest treat this Valentine’s Day. Men will spend nearly double what women plan to spend ($190.53 vs. $96.58 on average, respectively.) Additionally, adults 25-to-34 will outspend other age groups at an average of $213.04; 35-to-44 year olds will spend an average of $176.21 and 18-to-24 year olds will spend an average of $168.95.

Spending on Valentine’s Day gifts is expected to rise this year.

According to the National Retail Federation’s ( NRF)Valentine’s Day Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day will spend $142.31 on candy, flowers, apparel and more, compared with $133.91 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $18.9 billion -- a survey high.

“It’s encouraging to see consumer...

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Spooked by the economy? Fewer people to celebrate Halloween this year

A National Retail Federation survey says budgets will be trimmed, as well

09/23/2013 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

PhotoHalloween sales may be cooler, along with the October weather, as fewer consumers plan to celebrate the holiday.

According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Halloween Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities, compared with the survey high of 170 million last year.

The survey also says that those who do celebrate will trim their budgets, with the average celebrant expected to spend $75.03 on decor, costumes, candy and fun, down nearly $5 from last year. Overall, average spending on Halloween has increased 54.7 percent since 2005, with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion this year.

“Still one of the most beloved and anticipated consumer holidays, Halloween will be far from a bust this year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “After a long summer, the arrival of fall will put millions of Americans in the spirit to partake in traditional and festive activities.”

How we spend

One of the most cherished parts of the holiday -- dressing in costume -- will once again be popular. According to the survey, 43.6% of people plan to dress up and will spend a total of $2.6 billion on traditional and awe-inspiring costumes. Specifically, consumers will shell out $1.04 billion on children’s costumes, and $1.22 billion on adult costumes.

When it comes to pets, 13.8% of those celebrating will take the extra time to find the perfect costume for their four-legged friends to the tune of approximately $330 million.

Additionally, celebrants will spend $2.08 billion on candy and $360 million on greeting cards. Second only to Christmas in terms of spending on decorations, consumers will shell out $1.96 billion on life-size skeletons, fake cob webs, mantle pieces and other festive decorations.

When we shop

For the first time, NRF asked when people will begin shopping for Halloween. According to the survey, nearly one-third (32.8%) begin shopping before September 30. An additional 67.2% of consumers will shop in October. Specifically, 43.6% will begin the first two weeks in October and 23.6% will wait until the final two weeks of the month.

When it comes to inspiration for costume ideas, one-third (32.9%) will search for costume ideas online, another third (32.8%) will look for new ideas in a store, and one-fifth (20.8%) will seek advice from friends or family. Additionally, 14.1% will check Facebook  for inspiration and 3.8% will review blogs.

Nearly one in 10 (9.3%) will scour the visually-appealing Pinterest for costume ideas, versus 7.1% last year. Of those buying or making costumes, the average person will spend $27.85 -- a few cents less than last year.

How we celebrate

There are a variety of ways consumers will celebrate this year, with handing out candy being the most popular (72.0%). Others will carve a pumpkin (44.2%), visit a haunted house (20.3%), take their child trick-or-treating (31.7%) and decorate their home and/or yard (47.5%). Three in 10 (30.9%) will attend or host a party.

Despite the anticipation of the popular fall event, one-fourth of U.S. consumers (25.2%) say the state of the economy will affect their Halloween spending plans -- nearly nine in 10 (86.1%) will spend less overall, up a touch from last year. Additionally, 32.7% will buy less candy and 18.1% will make a costume instead of buying one.

Halloween sales may be cooler, along with the October weather, as fewer consumers plan to celebrate the holiday.

According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Halloween Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities, compared with the survey high of 170 million last year.

The survey also says that those who do celebrate will trim their budgets, with the average celebrant expected t...

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Growth projected for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales -- but not much

Weakened consumer confidence will have consumers looking for bargains

11/19/2013 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

PhotoNearly stagnant disposable incomes, the government shutdown and a general waning of consumer coonfidence are expected to take a toll on sales in the coming Christmas shopping season.

IBISWorld is forecasting weak Thanksgiving and holiday gift spending, with revenue generated by the Thanksgiving holiday increasing only slightly from 2012. And, say these experts, while Cyber Monday sales are anticipated to increase strongly by double-digits this year, this growth rate is deceptive. Forecasters say it's mainly due to consumers’ continued shift away from physical store shopping and toward online deals.

The bottom line: Overall gift spending from Black Friday through Cyber Monday is expected to grow by a meager 2.2% year-over-year.

Thanksgiving

PhotoCompared with last year, Thanksgiving spending is anticipated to grow 3.7% -- to $8.2 billion. More than two-thirds of this figure is expected to come from spending on food and drink for family gatherings and festivities; this category is expected to increase 5.1% from 2012. Celebrating the year-end holidays with loved ones remains an important tradition for many Americans, so spending on consumables is not expected to suffer much, despite poor confidence.

Families and relatives are expected to gather around the turkey this year, with 87.8% of US households expected to celebrate T-day. The average household will spend $52.75 on Thanksgiving dinner and $31.23 on turkey alone. Other, more discretionary expenses such as greeting cards, gifts and decorations are not anticipated to grow much this year -- increasing only 0.7%. Consumers are more likely to dedicate their cash to food and drinks.

Thanksgiving Sales

 200820092010201120122013
Food and drink ($m)$4,741.8$4,530.9$4,746.6$5,046.1$5,393.5$5,666.5
Turkey ($m)$2,699.4$2,533.6$2,722.6$2,987.4$3,253.3$3,354.2
Other expenses ($m)$2,442.7$2,333.3$2,289.1$2,384.3$2,497.9$2,557.5
Total ($m)$7,184.5$6,864.2$7,083.3$7,478.1$7,933.8$8,224.0
% annual change -4.5%3.2%5.6%6.1%3.7%

All dollar figures are in constant 2013 dollars

PhotoHoliday shopping

With tight budgets expected this season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday spending increases are projected to be smaller than those of 2012. This year, Black Friday is forecast to generate $13.6 billion in revenue -- an increase of 3.9% over last year’s total. The smaller increase is due to the continued sluggish growth in disposable incomes and relentless high unemployment. Still, growth in Black Friday revenue will be driven largely by door-buster deals and online sales that start at midnight. With bellies full of turkey, consumers are likely to jump on these online promotions; others will opt to walk the food off at retail locations, vying to score a great deal.

Spending during the Black Friday weekend (which includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday) is anticipated to grow just 1.7% to $38.7 billion. The bulk of weekend purchases (35.2%) is expected to be made on Black Friday itself, owing to enticing sales and the spirit of the day itself.

Cyber Monday, while still only about 15.0% the size of Black Friday in terms of revenue, is forecast to record double-digit growth of 13.1%. The $1.8 billion shopping day has increasingly made its way to the top of shoppers’ preferences for its plethora of online deals and free shipping promotions. This year will be no exception, as Cyber Monday outpaces growth during the remainder of the shopping weekend.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales

 200820092010201120122013
BlackFriday ($m)$12,043.9$12,042.6$12,348.2$12,382.4$13,113.3$13,618.5
% annual change 0.0%2.5%0.3%5.9%3.9%
Black Fridayweekend ($m)$32,273.7$32,184.6$33,891.2$34,637.1$38,034.8$38,688.3
% annual change -0.3%5.3%2.2%9.8%1.7%
CyberMonday ($m)$914.4$949.1$1,080.5$1,293.8$1,565.8$1,770.7
% annual change 3.8%13.9%19.7%21.0%13.1%

Nearly stagnant disposable incomes, the government shutdown and a general waning of consumer coonfidence are expected to take a toll on sales in the coming Christmas shopping season.

IBISWorld is forecasting weak Thanksgiving and holiday gift spending, with revenue generated by the Thanksgiving holiday increasing only slightly from 2012. And, say these experts, while Cyber Monday sales are anticipated to increase strongly by double-digits this year, this growth rate is d...

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Holding out for hot holiday deals

A new survey finds bargain-hunters may be holding back a bit

11/12/2014 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221
Photo
© Marek - Fotolia

Despite all the TV commercials pushing holiday merchandise, it appears that not everybody is hitting the malls early.

The new Holiday Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation (NRF) finds 45.6% of those asked say they haven’t started shopping yet -- relatively flat with last years’ 46.2%. Still, it's the lowest in the survey’s 7-year history.

“Many consumers are going to wait and see how great the promotions will be later this season before making any commitments,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retailers have reacted to this ‘wait and see’ mentality with fewer October deals and a much quieter entry into November, when we’ll start to see retailers ramp up with offers for exclusive merchandise, deep discounts and unique online savings opportunities.”

Procrastinators and early birds

The survey found that while slightly fewer people haven’t started shopping yet, 20.6% have finished 10 % or less of their shopping, while 12.4% have completed about one-quarter of their lists; 2.2% are saying they can sit back and relax as they have already finished their shopping for friends and family.

Unsurprisingly, apparel, toys and video games will be popular gift items this year. The survey found 6 in 10 (60.9%) will buy clothing and accessories, 46.3% will buy books, CDs, DVDs and video games, and two in five (42%) will buy toys.

Likely having loaded up on wearable technology items and new smartphones throughout the year, slightly fewer people will buy electronic items as gifts (30.7% vs. 33%). Some people are in for a real treat: 24% of shoppers will buy jewelry for a friend or family member -- the highest percent since 2006.

Gift cards continue as a favorite for both shoppers and recipients as 60% will buy gift cards, similar to the 59.2% who planned to do so last year. In an October NRF survey, 60% of shoppers also said they’d like to receive gift cards, marking gift cards the most requested gift item for 8 years in a row.

What to buy

Shoppers look for inspiration for gifts from every corner, and with the innovative creation of retailers’ wish lists, many consumers this season will take to the web to point loved ones to specific, perfect gift ideas. The survey found 32.1% say they will look for inspiration on wish lists, compared with 28.8% last year. Others will conduct online searches (47.7%), discuss options with family and friends (41.7%), check out advertising circulars (34.3%) and email ads (20.1%), and even search Facebook (10.6%).

"Retailers make holiday shoppers’ job easy with so many options to find the perfect gift, and with little room to waste on gifts that don't make sense, consumers today want to be sure what they buy is used and enjoyed by their loved ones," said Prosper's Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow. "On the hunt for bargains, quality merchandise that is unique and even exclusive, gift givers this holiday season will seek out both practical and indulgent gift items, though being sure not to break the bank."

When it comes to how shoppers will pay for their gifts, nearly four in 10 (38%) will use their credit card, the most in the survey’s history and up nearly 10% from last year; one in five (21.6%) will use cash and 38.4% will use their debit or check card. Just 2.1% will use a check -- the lowest in the survey’s history.

When broken down by age group, young adults (18-24) are the least likely to use credit to pay for gifts at just 17.7%, and 65+ are the most likely to use credit cards at 56%. Nearly half of 18-24 year olds (48.9%) plan to use their debit or check card to buy gift items.  

Despite all the TV commercials pushing holiday merchandise, it appears that not everybody is hitting the malls early.

The new Holiday Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation (NRF) finds 45.6% of those asked say they haven’t started shopping yet -- relatively flat with last years’ 46.2%. Still, it's the lowest in the survey’s 7-year history.

“Many consumers are going to wait and see ho...

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Disney’s “Frozen” takes the toy crown from Barbie

The doll’s 11-year run has come to an end

11/28/2014 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221
Photo
Photo source: Mattel

Barbie has learned -- as we all do -- that all good things come to an end.

According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest Holiday Top Toys Survey, one in five parents (20%) plan to buy Disney’s Frozen merchandise for the little girls in their life this holiday season , beating out the top reigning Barbie (16.8%) for the first time in the survey’s 11-year history.

LEGO toys are number one again for boys this year (14.2%).

“Parents will not have to go far to find good deals on the toys their children have put at the top of their lists,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Retailers have spent weeks preparing for the holiday rush to make sure that the season’s hottest toys are both easy to find in stores and online, and competitively priced.”

Toys on top

According to NRF’s 2014 holiday consumer survey, 42% of shoppers plan to buy toys as gifts this holiday season. For girls, dolls hold the top spots at #2 (Barbie), #3 (generic), #4 (Monster High Dolls) and #5 (American Girl), while boys have made it clear they still want cars and trucks #2.

Boys and girls alike have requested tablets/Apple iPads from mom and dad this holiday season (girls #7 and boys #10). Other familiar items will be awaiting children, including My Little Pony (#8 for girls) and Hot Wheels and Xbox One (#5 and #6 for boys.)

“Barbie has been the top girls’ toy for over a decade, but it is no surprise that Disney’s Frozen has taken the top seat as children have had it on the mind as far back as Halloween,” said Prosper’s Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow.

2014 Top Toys for Boys

  1. LEGO
  2. Cars & Trucks
  3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  4. Video Games
  5. Hot Wheels
  6. Xbox One
  7. PlayStation 4
  8. Transformers
  9. Remote Controlled Vehicles
  10. Marvel Action Figures (T)/Tablet/Apple iPad(T)

2014 Top Toys for Girls

  1. Disney Frozen
  2. Barbie
  3. Dolls (generic)
  4. Monster High Dolls
  5. American Girl
  6. LEGO
  7. Tablet/Apple iPad
  8. My Little Pony
  9. Disney Doc McStuffins
  10. Apparel

 

Barbie has learned -- as we all do -- that all good things come to an end.

According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest Holiday Top Toys Survey, one in five parents (20%) plan to buy Disney’s Frozen merchandise for the little girls in their life this holiday season , beating out the top reigning Barbie (16.8%) for the first time in the survey’s 11-year history.

LEGO toys are number one again for boys this year (14.2%).

“Parents will no...

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Record-setting Cyber Monday suggests a strong holiday shopping season

Amazon reports its best-ever single day

11/28/2018 | ConsumerAffairs

By Mark Huffman

Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Mark Huffman  Phone: 866-773-0221
  • Twitter

The record-breaking holiday spending that began on Thanksgiving has spilled into this week. Cyber Monday blew the doors off of sales projections as consumers spent $7.9 billion in online transactions, according to Adobe Analytics. That's on top of $6.22 billion spent online on Black Friday and $3.7 billion spent on Thanksgiving Day. Amazon said Cyber Monday proved to be the biggest sales day in the company's history with more products purchased globally than any othe...

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Retailers expect record high Mother’s Day spending

The cost of the royal treatment for mom could hit $23.6 billion

04/27/2017 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

Consumers plan to bring it on for mom this year.

The annual Mother's Day spending survey conducted for the National Retail Federation (NRF) by Prosper Insights & Analytics suggests that special lady can look forward to everything from jewelry to special outings at favorite restaurants.

Shoppers told the survey that they'll likely spend an average of $186.39 for the holiday, $14.17 more than they laid out last year.

With 85% of those asked saying they plan to celebrate, tot...

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Retailers hope for a boost from St. Patrick’s Day

Spending may be down from last year, but many plan to celebrate the Irish holiday

03/09/2016 | ConsumerAffairs

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years ...  Read Full Bio→

Email James Limbach  Phone: 866-773-0221

The wearin' o' the green may not boost the spendin' o' the green.

The National Retail Federation's (NRF) annual St. Patrick’s Day Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insight and Analytics, finds that more than 125 million consumers who plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day will spend an average of $35.37 per person – compared with last year’s $36.52.

Total spending for the Irish holiday is expected to reach $4.4 billion based on the U.S. population of those 18 and older.

“R...

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Holiday spending expected to increase in 2017

Follow these budgeting and bargain-hunting tips to have a successful holiday season

10/27/2017 | ConsumerAffairs

By Mark Huffman

Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Mark Huffman  Phone: 866-773-0221
  • Twitter

With the stock market at record highs and the economy posting stronger gains, it's likely consumers will be spending a lot more money this holiday season compared to last year.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts retail sales for November and December -- not counting automobiles, gasoline, and restaurant meals -- will increase by as much as four percent over 2016, to $682 billion.

“Our forecast reflects the very realistic steady momentum of the economy and overa...

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How to get your finances in order before the holidays

Tips for dealing with the holidays without breaking the bank

10/17/2017 | ConsumerAffairs

By Sarah D. Young

Sarah D. Young has been a columnist for a blog ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Sarah Young 

Holiday gifts, travel, and celebrations can lead to major debt long after the holidays have passed, but taking steps to get your finances in order before the holidays can help ensure you -- and your credit card -- don’t start the New Year off on the wrong foot.

Being financially prepared to handle the holidays is a vital part of keeping post-holiday debt at bay. To get prepared, it’s important to have a holiday spending plan in place before you start shopping. Budgeting ...

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Here’s how much consumers will spend on Valentine’s Day in 2018

This year's spending came close to the 2016 record-high of $19.7 billion

02/14/2018 | ConsumerAffairs

By Sarah D. Young

Sarah D. Young has been a columnist for a blog ...  Read Full Bio→

Email Sarah Young 

Consumers in the U.S. are projected to spend a near-record amount on gifts this Valentine’s Day, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The average shopper will spend $143.56 on Valentine’s Day gifts like jewelry, flowers, candy, and dinner -- an increase from last year’s $136.57.

This year, the total estimating spending haul will hit $19.6 billion, with jewelry purchases accounting for a majority of that figure (an estimated $4.7 billion...

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More Holiday Spending Articles

Page Content

  • Pop culture a major influence on this year's Halloween costumes
  • Some pre-holiday shopping advice
  • Holiday sales (already?) seen increasing 4% this year
  • 'Webrooming' this holiday season's biggest shopping trend
  • Romeos and Juliets will be shelling out more for Valentine’s Day gifts this year
  • Spooked by the economy? Fewer people to celebrate Halloween this year
  • Growth projected for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales -- but not much
  • Holding out for hot holiday deals
  • Disney’s “Frozen” takes the toy crown from Barbie
  • Record-setting Cyber Monday suggests a strong holiday shopping season
  • Retailers expect record high Mother’s Day spending
  • Retailers hope for a boost from St. Patrick’s Day
  • Holiday spending expected to increase in 2017
  • How to get your finances in order before the holidays
  • Here’s how much consumers will spend on Valentine’s Day in 2018

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