GITNUXREPORT 2026

Holiday Season Shopping Statistics

Record holiday spending reached nearly one trillion dollars globally last year.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

52% of U.S. shoppers are millennials, spending average $450 on holiday gifts.

Statistic 2

Gen Z shoppers (18-24) plan to spend 15% more than average at $520 per person in 2023.

Statistic 3

Baby boomers (55+) account for 28% of holiday spending, averaging $650.

Statistic 4

Women drive 57% of U.S. holiday shopping decisions and spending.

Statistic 5

Urban dwellers spend 20% more on holidays ($1,100 avg) vs rural ($850).

Statistic 6

Parents with children under 18 spend average $1,200 on holiday gifts.

Statistic 7

Single adults spend 30% less than families, averaging $600.

Statistic 8

High-income households (>100k) spend $1,500 avg, 40% on luxury.

Statistic 9

Low-income (<50k) shoppers 65% seek discounts, spend $400 avg.

Statistic 10

Hispanic consumers boost holiday spending by 12% to $750 avg.

Statistic 11

African American shoppers spend 18% more on gifts, $800 avg.

Statistic 12

Asian American holiday spending averages $950, focused on tech.

Statistic 13

40% of Gen X (45-54) prioritize experiences over gifts, spending $700.

Statistic 14

Remote workers spend 25% more online during holidays.

Statistic 15

College students average $300 holiday budget, 70% via apps.

Statistic 16

Seniors over 65 spend $550 avg, 50% on family gifts.

Statistic 17

Empty nesters increase self-gifting by 35% to $400.

Statistic 18

LGBTQ+ shoppers spend 10% more on inclusive brands, $750 avg.

Statistic 19

Veterans families spend $900 avg, seeking military discounts.

Statistic 20

35% of shoppers with disabilities use voice shopping, avg spend $650.

Statistic 21

Eco-conscious consumers (25% of pop) spend $800 on sustainable gifts.

Statistic 22

Pet owners (70 million U.S. households) spend $200 avg per pet.

Statistic 23

Gamers demographic spends $1,000 avg on gaming gear.

Statistic 24

Fitness enthusiasts up 22% spending to $450 on gear.

Statistic 25

Foodies allocate 30% of budget ($300) to gourmet gifts.

Statistic 26

Book lovers (20% U.S. adults) spend $150 avg on titles.

Statistic 27

Music fans stream/purchase $100 avg holiday music/gifts.

Statistic 28

Travel buffs book $2,000 avg holiday trips early.

Statistic 29

Toys category topped holiday gifts at 25% of purchases, $25B U.S.

Statistic 30

Electronics/gadgets 22% share, average $250 per item.

Statistic 31

Clothing/apparel 18%, with loungewear up 40%.

Statistic 32

Gift cards 15% of spending, $28 billion total.

Statistic 33

Books 8%, audiobooks surged 25%.

Statistic 34

Home/kitchen appliances 12%, air fryers top seller.

Statistic 35

Beauty/skincare 10%, sets up 30%.

Statistic 36

Jewelry 7%, personalized up 50%.

Statistic 37

Experiences (tickets/concerts) 9%, doubled post-COVID.

Statistic 38

Pet products 6%, toys/chews leading.

Statistic 39

Video games 5%, new consoles $15B.

Statistic 40

Sports/outdoor gear 4%, fitness trackers hot.

Statistic 41

Food/gourmet baskets 5%, chocolates dominant.

Statistic 42

Art/crafts supplies 3% for hobbyists.

Statistic 43

Sustainable/eco gifts 11% growth to 4% share.

Statistic 44

Kids' STEM toys up 35% in science kits.

Statistic 45

Adult coloring books/puzzles 2.5% niche.

Statistic 46

Wine/spirits gift sets $8B U.S.

Statistic 47

Personalized photo gifts $3B via apps.

Statistic 48

Board games surged 28% family play.

Statistic 49

Smart home devices 6%, bulbs/speakers lead.

Statistic 50

Handbags/wallets 4%, designer dupes popular.

Statistic 51

Candles/home fragrance $2.5B seasonal.

Statistic 52

Subscriptions (Netflix/Spotify) 3% gifting.

Statistic 53

Charitable donations as gifts 2%, up 15%.

Statistic 54

Returns averaged 16.5% of holiday purchases in 2023.

Statistic 55

75% of returns occur within first 30 days post-Christmas.

Statistic 56

Online returns rate 20.8% vs 8.9% in-store.

Statistic 57

Total U.S. holiday returns value $885 billion in 2023.

Statistic 58

Wardrobing (wear-return) accounts for 25% of apparel returns.

Statistic 59

Return fraud losses $101 billion annually, peaks holidays.

Statistic 60

40% of consumers buy extras expecting returns.

Statistic 61

Free returns influence 67% of online purchases.

Statistic 62

January retail sales dip 10% post-holidays due to returns.

Statistic 63

Gift card redemptions peak 50% in January.

Statistic 64

30% of gifts are exchanged for different sizes/colors.

Statistic 65

Electronics returns 15%, often for upgrades.

Statistic 66

Toys returns drop to 5% with better sizing.

Statistic 67

Sustainable packaging reduces returns by 12%.

Statistic 68

AI-powered return predictions cut fraud 20%.

Statistic 69

Resale market for returns grows 25% post-holidays.

Statistic 70

55% prefer store credit over refunds.

Statistic 71

International returns complicate 10% of cross-border sales.

Statistic 72

Mobile apps for returns used by 45% of millennials.

Statistic 73

Post-holiday clearance sales boost revenue 15%.

Statistic 74

Inventory clearance reduces waste by 30% via apps.

Statistic 75

Customer satisfaction drops 20% with return hassles.

Statistic 76

Extended return windows (60 days) increase loyalty 18%.

Statistic 77

Toy returns peak for age-inappropriate gifts 22%.

Statistic 78

Apparel size mismatches cause 40% returns.

Statistic 79

Post-holiday debt peaks at $1,000 avg per household.

Statistic 80

January gym sign-ups surge 34% from fitness gifts.

Statistic 81

62% of U.S. shoppers bought online before Black Friday 2023.

Statistic 82

Mobile commerce accounted for 55% of holiday e-sales, $132 billion U.S.

Statistic 83

In-store shopping still 60% of total holiday volume despite online growth.

Statistic 84

Buy Online Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) orders up 25% to 40% of online sales.

Statistic 85

Social commerce via Instagram/TikTok generated $20 billion holiday sales.

Statistic 86

Voice shopping via Alexa/Siri rose 30% to 15% of e-commerce.

Statistic 87

Livestream shopping sales hit $50 billion globally, 20% U.S. holidays.

Statistic 88

Click-and-collect services fulfilled 28% of online orders.

Statistic 89

AR try-on features boosted conversion 35% in fashion e-stores.

Statistic 90

Subscription box services saw 18% holiday sign-ups.

Statistic 91

Marketplace platforms like Amazon 45% of online holiday sales.

Statistic 92

Direct-to-consumer brands captured 15% via owned sites.

Statistic 93

TV home shopping channels generated $10 billion holiday revenue.

Statistic 94

Catalog shopping made a comeback with 5% digital catalogs.

Statistic 95

Pop-up stores increased foot traffic 40% during holidays.

Statistic 96

Curb-side pickup orders up 50% post-pandemic.

Statistic 97

Omnichannel shoppers spend 30% more than single-channel.

Statistic 98

International cross-border e-commerce $100 billion holiday.

Statistic 99

App-exclusive deals drove 25% mobile app downloads.

Statistic 100

Email marketing click-through 20% higher during holidays.

Statistic 101

SMS alerts influenced 12% of impulse buys.

Statistic 102

In-app purchases via games/apps $5 billion holiday.

Statistic 103

VR shopping experiences piloted 10% conversion lift.

Statistic 104

NFC/contactless payments 70% of in-store transactions.

Statistic 105

Self-checkout kiosks used by 55% of shoppers.

Statistic 106

U.S. holiday consumer spending hit a record $989.5 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from the previous year.

Statistic 107

Global holiday e-commerce sales are projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025, driven by mobile shopping growth.

Statistic 108

Average U.S. household holiday spending was $902 in 2023, with gifts accounting for 52% of total.

Statistic 109

Holiday sales in November and December 2022 contributed 19.1% to annual U.S. retail sales.

Statistic 110

U.K. Christmas spending reached £89 billion in 2023, a 2.5% rise year-over-year.

Statistic 111

Cyber Monday 2023 generated $12.4 billion in U.S. online sales, up 9.6% from 2022.

Statistic 112

Black Friday 2023 U.S. sales hit $9.8 billion online, a 7.5% increase.

Statistic 113

Total U.S. holiday online sales for 2023 were $240.4 billion, representing 24% of total holiday sales.

Statistic 114

Canadian holiday spending averaged CAD 1, insights from 2023 surveys.

Statistic 115

European Union holiday retail sales grew 4.1% in 2023 to €450 billion.

Statistic 116

Australian Christmas retail sales surged 3.2% to AUD 60 billion in 2023.

Statistic 117

Brazil's holiday e-commerce sales jumped 15% to R$20 billion in 2023.

Statistic 118

India's festive season sales reached INR 5 lakh crore in 2023, up 12%.

Statistic 119

Japan's year-end shopping sales totaled ¥10 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 120

South Korea's Chuseok and Christmas combined holiday sales hit KRW 50 trillion.

Statistic 121

U.S. small business holiday sales contributed $1 trillion to economy in 2023.

Statistic 122

Luxury holiday spending globally reached $150 billion in 2023.

Statistic 123

Food and beverage holiday sales in U.S. grew 5% to $120 billion.

Statistic 124

Travel-related holiday bookings added $50 billion to U.S. spending.

Statistic 125

Charity donations during holidays totaled $85 billion in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 126

Pet holiday gifts spending reached $12.5 billion in U.S.

Statistic 127

Home decor holiday sales up 6% to $35 billion U.S.

Statistic 128

Electronics holiday category sales $150 billion globally 2023.

Statistic 129

Apparel holiday sales $90 billion in U.S. 2023.

Statistic 130

Toys and games holiday revenue $25 billion U.S.

Statistic 131

Beauty products holiday sales $40 billion worldwide.

Statistic 132

Books holiday sales spiked 10% to $2 billion U.S.

Statistic 133

Sporting goods holiday up 8% to $15 billion U.S.

Statistic 134

Jewelry holiday sales $12 billion U.S. 2023.

Statistic 135

Furniture holiday purchases $20 billion U.S.

1/135

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With holiday shopping reaching nearly a trillion dollars in the U.S. alone last year, this global spending spree reveals not only what we buy but who we are, as every statistic tells a story about our culture, our values, and our changing world.

Key Takeaways

U.S. holiday consumer spending hit a record $989.5 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from the previous year.
Global holiday e-commerce sales are projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025, driven by mobile shopping growth.
Average U.S. household holiday spending was $902 in 2023, with gifts accounting for 52% of total.
52% of U.S. shoppers are millennials, spending average $450 on holiday gifts.
Gen Z shoppers (18-24) plan to spend 15% more than average at $520 per person in 2023.
Baby boomers (55+) account for 28% of holiday spending, averaging $650.
62% of U.S. shoppers bought online before Black Friday 2023.
Mobile commerce accounted for 55% of holiday e-sales, $132 billion U.S.
In-store shopping still 60% of total holiday volume despite online growth.
Toys category topped holiday gifts at 25% of purchases, $25B U.S.
Electronics/gadgets 22% share, average $250 per item.
Clothing/apparel 18%, with loungewear up 40%.
Returns averaged 16.5% of holiday purchases in 2023.
75% of returns occur within first 30 days post-Christmas.
Online returns rate 20.8% vs 8.9% in-store.

Record holiday spending reached nearly one trillion dollars globally last year.

Consumer Demographics

52% of U.S. shoppers are millennials, spending average $450 on holiday gifts.
Gen Z shoppers (18-24) plan to spend 15% more than average at $520 per person in 2023.
Baby boomers (55+) account for 28% of holiday spending, averaging $650.
Women drive 57% of U.S. holiday shopping decisions and spending.
Urban dwellers spend 20% more on holidays ($1,100 avg) vs rural ($850).
Parents with children under 18 spend average $1,200 on holiday gifts.
Single adults spend 30% less than families, averaging $600.
High-income households (>100k) spend $1,500 avg, 40% on luxury.
Low-income (<50k) shoppers 65% seek discounts, spend $400 avg.
Hispanic consumers boost holiday spending by 12% to $750 avg.
African American shoppers spend 18% more on gifts, $800 avg.
Asian American holiday spending averages $950, focused on tech.
40% of Gen X (45-54) prioritize experiences over gifts, spending $700.
Remote workers spend 25% more online during holidays.
College students average $300 holiday budget, 70% via apps.
Seniors over 65 spend $550 avg, 50% on family gifts.
Empty nesters increase self-gifting by 35% to $400.
LGBTQ+ shoppers spend 10% more on inclusive brands, $750 avg.
Veterans families spend $900 avg, seeking military discounts.
35% of shoppers with disabilities use voice shopping, avg spend $650.
Eco-conscious consumers (25% of pop) spend $800 on sustainable gifts.
Pet owners (70 million U.S. households) spend $200 avg per pet.
Gamers demographic spends $1,000 avg on gaming gear.
Fitness enthusiasts up 22% spending to $450 on gear.
Foodies allocate 30% of budget ($300) to gourmet gifts.
Book lovers (20% U.S. adults) spend $150 avg on titles.
Music fans stream/purchase $100 avg holiday music/gifts.
Travel buffs book $2,000 avg holiday trips early.

Consumer Demographics Interpretation

The holiday shopping season reveals a nation of diverse wallets where millennials form the majority but spend like cautious newcomers, Gen Z boldly spends beyond their years, and baby boomers, with fewer presents to buy, quietly wield the heaviest purse, proving that while women steer most of the sleigh, the real story is that everyone from urbanites to pet owners is spending with a purpose, whether it's on luxury, experiences, or simply making their own corner of the season bright.

Gift Categories

Toys category topped holiday gifts at 25% of purchases, $25B U.S.
Electronics/gadgets 22% share, average $250 per item.
Clothing/apparel 18%, with loungewear up 40%.
Gift cards 15% of spending, $28 billion total.
Books 8%, audiobooks surged 25%.
Home/kitchen appliances 12%, air fryers top seller.
Beauty/skincare 10%, sets up 30%.
Jewelry 7%, personalized up 50%.
Experiences (tickets/concerts) 9%, doubled post-COVID.
Pet products 6%, toys/chews leading.
Video games 5%, new consoles $15B.
Sports/outdoor gear 4%, fitness trackers hot.
Food/gourmet baskets 5%, chocolates dominant.
Art/crafts supplies 3% for hobbyists.
Sustainable/eco gifts 11% growth to 4% share.
Kids' STEM toys up 35% in science kits.
Adult coloring books/puzzles 2.5% niche.
Wine/spirits gift sets $8B U.S.
Personalized photo gifts $3B via apps.
Board games surged 28% family play.
Smart home devices 6%, bulbs/speakers lead.
Handbags/wallets 4%, designer dupes popular.
Candles/home fragrance $2.5B seasonal.
Subscriptions (Netflix/Spotify) 3% gifting.
Charitable donations as gifts 2%, up 15%.

Gift Categories Interpretation

The holidays painted a telling portrait of our times: we bought plastic dinosaurs to delight children, noise-canceling headphones to escape them, cozy clothes to never leave the house, and air fryers to finally cook in it, all while giving the gift of someone else’s choice via card, hoping the thought still counts.

Post-Holiday Trends

Returns averaged 16.5% of holiday purchases in 2023.
75% of returns occur within first 30 days post-Christmas.
Online returns rate 20.8% vs 8.9% in-store.
Total U.S. holiday returns value $885 billion in 2023.
Wardrobing (wear-return) accounts for 25% of apparel returns.
Return fraud losses $101 billion annually, peaks holidays.
40% of consumers buy extras expecting returns.
Free returns influence 67% of online purchases.
January retail sales dip 10% post-holidays due to returns.
Gift card redemptions peak 50% in January.
30% of gifts are exchanged for different sizes/colors.
Electronics returns 15%, often for upgrades.
Toys returns drop to 5% with better sizing.
Sustainable packaging reduces returns by 12%.
AI-powered return predictions cut fraud 20%.
Resale market for returns grows 25% post-holidays.
55% prefer store credit over refunds.
International returns complicate 10% of cross-border sales.
Mobile apps for returns used by 45% of millennials.
Post-holiday clearance sales boost revenue 15%.
Inventory clearance reduces waste by 30% via apps.
Customer satisfaction drops 20% with return hassles.
Extended return windows (60 days) increase loyalty 18%.
Toy returns peak for age-inappropriate gifts 22%.
Apparel size mismatches cause 40% returns.
Post-holiday debt peaks at $1,000 avg per household.
January gym sign-ups surge 34% from fitness gifts.

Post-Holiday Trends Interpretation

The holiday shopping season is a billion-dollar game of hot potato where everyone is a winner until the return window opens, revealing that our generosity is often just a well-intentioned layaway plan for January.

Shopping Channels

62% of U.S. shoppers bought online before Black Friday 2023.
Mobile commerce accounted for 55% of holiday e-sales, $132 billion U.S.
In-store shopping still 60% of total holiday volume despite online growth.
Buy Online Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) orders up 25% to 40% of online sales.
Social commerce via Instagram/TikTok generated $20 billion holiday sales.
Voice shopping via Alexa/Siri rose 30% to 15% of e-commerce.
Livestream shopping sales hit $50 billion globally, 20% U.S. holidays.
Click-and-collect services fulfilled 28% of online orders.
AR try-on features boosted conversion 35% in fashion e-stores.
Subscription box services saw 18% holiday sign-ups.
Marketplace platforms like Amazon 45% of online holiday sales.
Direct-to-consumer brands captured 15% via owned sites.
TV home shopping channels generated $10 billion holiday revenue.
Catalog shopping made a comeback with 5% digital catalogs.
Pop-up stores increased foot traffic 40% during holidays.
Curb-side pickup orders up 50% post-pandemic.
Omnichannel shoppers spend 30% more than single-channel.
International cross-border e-commerce $100 billion holiday.
App-exclusive deals drove 25% mobile app downloads.
Email marketing click-through 20% higher during holidays.
SMS alerts influenced 12% of impulse buys.
In-app purchases via games/apps $5 billion holiday.
VR shopping experiences piloted 10% conversion lift.
NFC/contactless payments 70% of in-store transactions.
Self-checkout kiosks used by 55% of shoppers.

Shopping Channels Interpretation

The holiday shopper is now a digital maestro conducting a multi-device symphony of instant gratification, all while still occasionally wandering into a store to remember what socks feel like.

Total Spending

U.S. holiday consumer spending hit a record $989.5 billion in 2023, up 3.8% from the previous year.
Global holiday e-commerce sales are projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025, driven by mobile shopping growth.
Average U.S. household holiday spending was $902 in 2023, with gifts accounting for 52% of total.
Holiday sales in November and December 2022 contributed 19.1% to annual U.S. retail sales.
U.K. Christmas spending reached £89 billion in 2023, a 2.5% rise year-over-year.
Cyber Monday 2023 generated $12.4 billion in U.S. online sales, up 9.6% from 2022.
Black Friday 2023 U.S. sales hit $9.8 billion online, a 7.5% increase.
Total U.S. holiday online sales for 2023 were $240.4 billion, representing 24% of total holiday sales.
Canadian holiday spending averaged CAD 1, insights from 2023 surveys.
European Union holiday retail sales grew 4.1% in 2023 to €450 billion.
Australian Christmas retail sales surged 3.2% to AUD 60 billion in 2023.
Brazil's holiday e-commerce sales jumped 15% to R$20 billion in 2023.
India's festive season sales reached INR 5 lakh crore in 2023, up 12%.
Japan's year-end shopping sales totaled ¥10 trillion in 2023.
South Korea's Chuseok and Christmas combined holiday sales hit KRW 50 trillion.
U.S. small business holiday sales contributed $1 trillion to economy in 2023.
Luxury holiday spending globally reached $150 billion in 2023.
Food and beverage holiday sales in U.S. grew 5% to $120 billion.
Travel-related holiday bookings added $50 billion to U.S. spending.
Charity donations during holidays totaled $85 billion in U.S. 2023.
Pet holiday gifts spending reached $12.5 billion in U.S.
Home decor holiday sales up 6% to $35 billion U.S.
Electronics holiday category sales $150 billion globally 2023.
Apparel holiday sales $90 billion in U.S. 2023.
Toys and games holiday revenue $25 billion U.S.
Beauty products holiday sales $40 billion worldwide.
Books holiday sales spiked 10% to $2 billion U.S.
Sporting goods holiday up 8% to $15 billion U.S.
Jewelry holiday sales $12 billion U.S. 2023.
Furniture holiday purchases $20 billion U.S.

Total Spending Interpretation

Despite the palpable spirit of goodwill, these figures confirm that the global holiday shopping season is less a silent night and more a worldwide economic phenomenon where our collective generosity is measured by the triumphant, multi-trillion-dollar sound of cash registers singing.

Sources & References

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