Holidays/page/2 news and trends

British Retail Sales Dampened by Consumers Waiting for Bargains
Retail // December 20, 2024

While retail sales in Great Britain rose in November, analysts said the results were dampened by consumers waiting for bargains. Retail sales rose by 0.2% in November, marking the first increase since August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a Friday (Dec. 20) press release....

Consumer Spending Lifts Q3 GDP, but Savings Rates Are Pressured
Economy // December 19, 2024

In the latest and final revision of how the economy fared in the third quarter — through the growth in gross domestic product — the headline is that growth was healthy. GDP was better than expected, and it’s almost always the case that GDP’s direction...

Inflation Pushes Consumers to Seek Everyday Value From Credit Card Rewards
Credit Cards // December 18, 2024

Rewards are among the key determinants in how consumers choose — and use — credit cards. In the PYMNTS Intelligence report “The Role of Rewards Programs in Credit Card Usage,” 71% of consumers said they were satisfied with their card rewards programs, which leaves about...

Trending: eCommerce Spending Accelerates in November and Boosts Retail Sales
Economy // December 17, 2024

November’s consumer spending was buoyant, as eCommerce sales rebounded from a tepid pace in October. Chalk it up to the festive season, but there are signs that consumers are throttling back on at least some retail categories … so they can fill their online carts...

Interviews & Exclusives
Trending: eCommerce Spending Accelerates in November and Boosts Retail Sales

December 17, 2024
November’s consumer spending was buoyant, as eCommerce sales rebounded from a tepid pace in October. Chalk it up to the festive season, but there are signs that consumers are throttling back on at least some retail categories … so they can fill their online carts in anticipation of giving gifts to their loved ones (or […]

Foot Locker’s Mobile App and Loyalty Program Propel Online Sales Growth

December 04, 2024
Despite facing a softer-than-expected retail environment in the third quarter, Foot Locker President and CEO Mary Dillon remains optimistic about the company’s long-term digital strategy, including a new mobile app and...

Will Instant Refunds Change Retail?

December 04, 2024
December’s dawn brings with it a flurry of retail spending. Gift giving is top of mind, to be sure, but consumers are also treating themselves along the way as promotions...

BNPL’s In-Store Struggle: Digital Darling Hits Brick Wall in Physical Retail

December 02, 2024
Black Friday’s in the rearview mirror. Cyber Monday is here. Part of what incentivizes a consumer to buy is if and when their preferred payment method is available. It’s a...

Quick Reads
British Retail Sales Dampened by Consumers Waiting for Bargains

December 20, 2024
While retail sales in Great Britain rose in November, analysts said the results were dampened by consumers waiting for bargains. Retail sales rose by 0.2% in November, marking the first increase since August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a Friday (Dec. 20) press release. This increase came after a 0.7% decline in October, according […]

Booking CFO: Inflation Continues to Scare US Travelers

December 17, 2024
Booking.com says the impact of inflation continues to hamstring the U.S. travel industry. Demand is down as cautious consumers hold off on making their vacation plans, Ewout Steenbergen, the online...

Gopuff Teams With Blackhawk Network on Gift Card Delivery

December 11, 2024
Branded payments solutions company Blackhawk Network has launched a collaboration with quick delivery service Gopuff. The partnership lets shoppers add physical gift cards to their online grocery order for at-home...

Sovos Sees 92% Jump in Tax Processing on Black Friday

December 05, 2024
Sovos says it saw “record-breaking” tax processing performance on Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. The compliance company announced Thursday (Dec. 5) that it had processed taxes on close to 300 million items just on...