PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 2020 has been a year like no other for consumers and retailers alike. While that won’t stop families from celebrating the holidays, it will impact how, where and when consumers spend. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse™, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types including cash and check, the holiday shopping season is already well underway, having kicked off in mid-October amidst major cyber promotions.
During this newly expanded holiday season, running from October 11 through December 24, Mastercard SpendingPulse has forecasted U.S. retail sales to grow 2.4% excluding automotive and gas, compared to the same time period last year. Notably, overall retail sales excluding automotive and gas during that initial holiday kickoff week of October 11 grew 8.3% compared to 2019**, with e-commerce sales increasing 66.5%.
| Traditional Holiday Period November 1-December 24 | 75 Days of Christmas October 11-December 24 |
Total retail (ex. auto and gas) | +1.8% | +2.4% |
Total retail (ex. auto) | +0.1% | +0.7% |
E-commerce sales | +32.9% | +34.6% |
Source: Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check |
In terms of what consumers are buying this holiday season, home furnishings, athleisure and electronics are expected to outperform when compared to other sectors.
While this holiday season will look different from state to state and family to family, there are a number of overarching trends to watch—as well as other factors, such as future stimulus decisions, that could impact sales forecasts. As part of its ongoing insight series, Mastercard’s Recovery Insights: The Evolving Consumer looks at changing consumer habits, and what that means for retailers, including:
“This year may look different than years past, but I’m optimistic as the sales outlook is far better than economists might have expected earlier in the year. To put it in perspective, the 2008 recession saw holiday season declines of -3.5%*, so this could be a happy holidays indeed,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated.
*excluding auto and gas sales **week of October 11-17, 2020, compared to the week of October 13-19, 2019
About Mastercard SpendingPulse
Mastercard SpendingPulse reports on national retail sales across all payment types in select markets around the world. The findings are based on aggregate sales activity in the Mastercard payments network, coupled with survey-based estimates for certain other payment forms, such as cash and check.
Mastercard SpendingPulse defines “U.S. retail sales” as sales at retailers and food services merchants of all sizes. Sales activity within the services sector (for example, travel services such as airlines and lodging) are not included.
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Will TsangWill.Tsang@Mastercard.com (914) 414-5420 Julia MontiJulia.Monti@Mastercard.com (914) 217-9533
Source: Mastercard Investor Relations