Americans Feel the Holiday Spending Squeeze
Executive Summary The latest Prosper Insights & Technologies survey paints a clear picture of how Americans are feeling—and spending—as they head into the holiday season. While some demographic groups show resilience, overall financial sentiment remains cautious, shaped heavily by inflation, tariffs, and uncertainty about the broader economy. Key findings include Only 22% of consumers feel […]
Strategic Shopping: Why Americans Start Early but Spend Less
Executive Summary The 2025 holiday season reflects a growing tension between enthusiasm and economic restraint. Data from the October 2025 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, conducted in partnership with the National Retail Federation (NRF), shows that while 92.8% of adults plan to celebrate the winter holidays, shoppers are changing how and when they buy. Consumers […]
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024 By Dr. Martin Block, Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University, Retail Analytics Council A recent survey provides insight into how prepared shoppers were by mid-December. Based on data from the 94.7% of people who shop for the holidays, the results reveal a mix of careful planning and last-minute scrambling. Here’s where consumers stood leading […]
Thanksgiving and Black Friday: Trends and Traditions
Executive Summary: This report explores consumer behavior and trends surrounding the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping events based on the November 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,135). Key insights include: Shopping Participation: 3% of adults plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend; 39.1% “definitely” and 35.2% “maybe.” Planning to shop has grown at an […]
Winter Holidays and Shopping Trends: Insights from October 2024 Data
Executive Summary: This article presents key findings from the October 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,191), focusing on early holiday celebration plans, spending behavior, and shopping trends for the winter season. The results highlight evolving consumer preferences, spending patterns, and economic influences as the holiday season approaches. Key Findings: Holiday Celebrations: 92.8% of respondents […]