Americans are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion this Valentine's Day, according to the latest survey from the National Retail Federation, with the average shopper shelling out nearly $200 on gifts. From dazzling jewelry and dinner dates to sweet treats for friends and even pets, consumers are expanding their lists of loved ones — and pushing holiday spending to new heights in the process.Candy, Jewelry, Flowers As Top Gift ChoicesThe annual survey, released late January, shows that Valentine’s Day sp ...

Consumer Spending Trends - Holiday spending was stronger than expected, with consumer spending results exceeding analysts' predictions, indicating a practical approach to holiday purchases [1] - The trend of gift cards emerged as a popular choice among consumers, driven by fewer shopping days between Black Friday and Christmas, which caught many by surprise [4][5] Retail Strategies - Retailers are adapting to reach consumers who are less influenced by social media, emphasizing the importance of omnichannel demand and being present where consumers are [7][8] - The complexity of finding the right mix of traditional and digital advertising is highlighted, as consumers still engage with traditional media like TV and YouTube [9] Consumer Behavior Insights - A significant portion of Americans, about one in three, are participating in "dry January," primarily for health reasons and to spend less money, reflecting a trend towards frugality [10][11] - The restrained consumer mindset is influencing purchasing decisions across various sectors, indicating a shift towards health and wellness considerations [11] Retail Operations and Technology - Last-minute shoppers are increasingly required to pick up purchases in-store, emphasizing the need for retailers to enhance their operational efficiency [12] - The use of AI, such as chatbots, is becoming essential for retailers to improve customer service and streamline processes like returns and product assembly inquiries [13][14]

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The needles are pointing to a more cautious consumer this year. ...

Steve Leeman is here at Post9 with the numbers. And Steve, this question about how inflation is impacting holiday spending. >> We're calling it inflation the red-nosed reindeer.How it's really leading spending. Uh it's factoring heavily into consumers views on spending this holiday season. The All-American Economic Survey finding it's affecting where people choose to shop and of course how much.Of the thousands people surveyed across the nation, uh here are some of the results you can see there. 61% say the ...

Core Insights - The American consumer is experiencing financial strain as holiday shopping approaches, with rising prices on consumer goods impacting spending behavior [1][2] - A significant portion of consumers expect to feel financial pressure during the holiday season, with many attributing rising costs to tariffs [2][5] - There is a noticeable disparity in holiday spending experiences between high-income and lower-income households, with higher earners showing stronger spending growth [3][4][8] Consumer Sentiment - 62% of respondents in Bank of America's holiday survey anticipate financial strain related to holiday expenses, and 58% feel that gifts are more expensive this year [2] - Over half of the respondents believe tariffs are contributing to price increases, particularly in electronics and jewelry [2][5] Spending Trends - Holiday spending per household has increased by approximately 6%, but retail transaction volumes have slightly declined, indicating consumers are spending more but purchasing fewer items [3] - Electronics spending per transaction rose nearly 8% after spring tariffs, while jewelry spending increased by about four percentage points following an August tariff announcement [5] Income Disparity - Higher-income households are experiencing spending and wage growth that surpasses lower-income households, with a 3% increase in spending for high earners compared to less than 1% for lower-income groups [4][8] - After-tax pay for higher earners rose about 4%, while it only increased by about 1% for those at the lower end of the income spectrum [8] Consumer Behavior Adjustments - Many consumers are becoming more selective in their gift-giving, with 38% planning to buy gifts only for immediate family and close friends, and 23% agreeing to scale back gift-giving with relatives [6] - Among those feeling financial strain, 87% intend to shop at discount stores, and 51% are considering gifting cheaper imitations of luxury items [7]

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Tariff Impact & Supply Chain - Tariffs in 2025 presented challenges for TheraBody, leading to supply chain diversification out of China and operating expense reductions [2][3] - A slight price increase was implemented, the first since the company's inception [3] - The recent tariff reduction of 10% by the administration is being immediately passed on to consumers [4] Consumer Behavior & Sales Performance - TheraBody is observing strength in new product sales, aligning with expectations [6] - Black Friday and Cyber Monday results were in line with projections [6] - The company is offering greater discounts at entry price points to maintain competitiveness [7] - Consumers are demonstrating resilience and are not compromising on wellness despite economic challenges [7][10] Wellness Industry & Product Strategy - The wellness industry is now a $2 trillion market, with Americans spending over $6,000 per person annually [8][9] - TheraBody's products are positioned within the wellness technology area, offering alternatives to pain medication [11] - The company is expanding its technology from athletes to a broader audience, including wellness facial beauty products [13] - The Face Glow Mask features 504 lights and has undergone the largest clinical study, showing results within 12 weeks [13]

Holiday Spending Trends - AAA estimates nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles away from home over the Thanksgiving week [4] - The average consumer is looking at just over $700 for their holiday expenses [18] - The National Retail Federation forecasts US holiday sales will surpass $1 trillion for the first time ever this year [29] - KPMG estimates consumer holiday shopping will rise 46% this year compared to a year ago, or that's about $847 per shopper [34] Credit Card Strategies - Opening a travel rewards credit card can help save on holiday trips due to extra spending [2][5] - Consumers should look for points and miles cards for travel or cashback cards for everyday expenses [11] - Travel cards offer benefits like trip delay, cancellation insurance, and rental car insurance [13][14] Saving and Budgeting Tips - Consumers are advised to start holiday expense planning early to get budgets in order and comparison shop [19][20] - Consider a seasonal side gig to pad the budget and avoid relying on credit cards [23][24] - Whittling down the gift recipient list or doing a gift exchange can save money [25][26] - Consumers should check credit card rewards for unused points to offset holiday costs [27] Impact of Tariffs and Inflation - Tariffs have disrupted supply chains and led to higher prices for some products, especially electronics [29][30] - There is still a 50% tariff on most Indian goods [31] - Tariffs can drive prices sharply higher: over 30% for smartphones, 34% for laptops and tablets, and 69% for video game consoles [31] Retail Strategies and AI - Retailers are giving consumers more options and availability to shop early [36] - 41% of consumers are already using AI for research, searching products, and comparison shopping [42] - AI can be a personal shopping agent to narrow down shopping results and find the best prices [45][46] Labor Market - Retailers are hiring fewer seasonal workers this year compared to 2024 [48] - Searches for seasonal holiday work were up 27% at the end of September compared to a year earlier [54]

Holiday Spending Expected To Top $1 Trillion For First Time, NRF Sayshttps://t.co/gNTNByPaLJ https://t.co/n2iXimfM11 ...