Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are three of the biggest holiday shopping days of the year. A record number of shoppers are expected to exceed sales records from last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
David Benefield at Highland Hall, began his floral and gift business at Ann’s Porch across from Lakebottom more than 30 years ago. Seven years ago, he moved to his present location at 1504 17th Street. He can attest to those predictions of a record number of shoppers.
“People are geared up for the holidays, and they are coming in earlier. It’s our busiest time of the year. Just yesterday, we did 120 Christmas gift baskets,” said Benefield.
Aside from floral gifts, his shop also offers cheese straws, seasonings, pottery, hand-blown glass treasures and gift cards.
“Many Americans consider shopping to be an important part of their Thanksgiving holiday and one of the best ways to get deals on gifts,” Prosper Insights & Analytics Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. “Of those planning to take advantage of sales, over half say it’s because the deals are too good to pass up. Others point to the tradition or simply say they like to start their holiday shopping during the long weekend.”
The top items consumers plan to gift are clothing and accessories (50%), gift cards (43%) and toys (32%). The leading sources of inspiration continue to be online search (41%), friends and family (35%), within a retail store (28%) and wish lists (23%).
Total gift card spending is expected to reach $29.1 billion, up from $28.6 billion (about $88 per person in the US) in 2024. Consumers plan to buy between three to four gift cards and expect to spend an average of $171.32 per person. Restaurants remain the most popular gift card type (27%), followed by bank-issued cards (25%), department stores (25%) and coffee shops (20%).
About two-thirds (67%) plan to embrace the spirit of giving and engage in at least one charitable activity, with the top ways to give including donating financially to a charity or cause (32%), donating items to a charity or cause (31%) or purchasing from retailers or brands that donate to social causes (20%).
Earlier this month, NRF predicted that holiday spending is expected to surpass $1 trillion (about $3,100 per person in the US) for the first time during November and December, with sales forecast to grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024.
