Holiday retail spending rose 4.2% year over year in the first seven weeks of the season, with Visa data showing physical stores accounted for 73% of payment volume.
Key Takeaways
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In-store dominance persists: Physical retail accounted for nearly three-quarters of total holiday spending.
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Moderate e-commerce surge: Online sales climbed 7.8%, buoyed by early promotions and convenience.
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Category strength varies: Electronics and apparel led with gains above 5%, while home-related categories experienced slower or negative growth.
