Consumers Keep Spending As E-Commerce Drives Holiday Sales Growth, Data Shows

US holiday retail spending rose 4.2 percent this season, fueled by strong online sales and higher demand for electronics, according to preliminary data from Visa.

Visa said the data tracked retail purchases from November 1 over a seven-week period, excluding autos, gasoline, and restaurants.

In-store shopping still dominated, accounting for 73 percent of spending, while online sales made up 27 percent. E-commerce drove most of the growth, rising 7.8 percent from last year.

Holiday retail spending rose 4.2% this season, driven by e-commerce and electronics: Visa report https://t.co/OoXBvVysBP

— CNBC (@CNBC) December 23, 2025

Electronics were the top-performing category, with sales up 5.8 percent, supported by demand for AI-enabled devices.

Apparel and accessories increased 5.3 percent, while general merchandise stores posted modest gains. Home improvement spending declined, reflecting a shift away from renovation projects.

Visa economists said consumer spending held up despite inflation concerns and weaker confidence. Adjusted for inflation, real holiday spending growth was estimated at about 2.2 percent.

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