Holiday Retail Sales Grow, Mastercard Report Says

U.S. retailers enjoyed a solid holiday shopping season as sales were up 3.1%, according to a report from Mastercard Spending Pulse.

The data covers sales from November 1 through December 24 and measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. Figures are not adjusted for inflation. 

“This holiday season, the consumer showed up, spending in a deliberate manner,” said Michelle Meyer, chief economist, Mastercard Economics Institute. “The economic backdrop remains favorable with healthy job creation and easing inflation pressures, empowering consumers to seek the goods and experiences they value most.”

According to Mastercard, key retail trends this holiday season included:

• Shopping Extravaganzas In-Store & Online: Online retail sales increased 6.3% year-over-year while in-store sales were up 2.2% year-over-year. Spending online is increasing at a faster pace than in-store, but shopping in-store still makes up a considerably larger portion of total retail spending.
• Winter Wardrobe Wonderland: Apparel was one of the top categories for shoppers this season as consumers shopped for new outfits and upcoming holiday festivities. The sector was up 2.4% year-over-year.
• Season’s Eatings: Culinary celebrations continued as family and friends gathered in restaurants to ring in the holidays. The Restaurant sector was up 7.8% year-over-year, while Grocery was up 2.1% for the season.

“Retailers started promotions early this season, giving consumers time to hunt for the best deals and promotions,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated. “Ultimately it was about getting the most bang for your buck as consumers spent on a variety of goods and services, resurfacing spending trends from before the pandemic.”

Mastercard’s figures for the holiday season fall at the lower end of the National Retail Federation’s holiday sales forecast, which has projected sales growth of between 3% and 4%.