The National Retail Federation announced that despite the fact that inflation is higher in almost four decades, the supply problems that are occurring in the supply chain and the concerns of being infected by the Omicron variant Coronavirus are not lowering the mood of American consumers to spend this holiday season.
“People have entered this holiday season in a sense wanting to make up for some of last year,” Katherine Cullen, senior director of consumer and industry awareness for the National Retail Federation, told FOX. .
“I think people are looking to spend even more this year because they want to celebrate with family and friends,” he added. “They are splurging on gifts. They are spending on travel, ”Cullen said.
Data from the National Retail Federation in October they indicated that those over 65 planned to spend more on gifts this year in compared to 2020 . Cullen said this could be because they hope to celebrate the holidays with their younger grandchildren or relatives.
Throughout the first 11 months of the year, sales increased by 14. 2% compared to the same period of 2020, according to the National Retail Federation, which calculates retail sales excluding car dealerships, gas stations and restaurants.
According to the organization’s expert, retail brands began offering great discounts from October and urged consumers to start shopping early to give them time to find the items they wanted.
Although about the 30% of holiday shoppers said they had trouble finding items, not necessarily are surrendering, said Cullen.
A point highlighted by the senior director of industry and consumer knowledge of the National Retail Federation, was that the categories most affected by inflation is food and fuel , which does not necessarily deter people from buying gifts.
According to data from the National Retail Federation, the 61% of consumers started their Christmas shopping early It’s November, “which is a record amount,” Cullen added. In November alone, sales increased by 14% YoY.
A few days before Christmas arrives, the American shopping trend is high despite of the situations that have occurred this year, according to the National Retail Federation
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