Holiday home decor sales on par with last year

San Francisco – Preliminary data from the annual Retail Spend Monitor from Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) shows that in-store sales have led the way for seasonal spending.

Since Nov. 1, 73% of holiday payment volume was in physical stores while 27% of retail spend happened online. E-commerce continued to expand, rising 7.8% thanks primarily to early-season promotions and convenience.

Overall holiday retail spending increased 4.2% year over year across all payment types, including cash and check. The figures are not adjusted for inflation.

U.S. seasonal spending snapshots by category include:

• Holiday home décor held steady: Furniture and home furnishing sales rose 0.8%, “reflecting a consistent seasonal demand,” according to the report.
• One-stop shops spread the cheer: General merchandise stores saw a 3.7% lift with consumers seeking convenience.
• Fashion-forward shoppers hit the racks: Clothing and accessories sales climbed 5.3%.
• Electronics power up for the holidays: Electronics sales jumped 5.8%, fueled by demand for high-performance devices in the AI era.
• A cooler season for home improvement: Building materials and garden equipment sales decreased by 1.0%.

Holiday 2025 is also the year that AI became part of the shopping journey.

“This season also marked a turning point, with artificial intelligence shaping how people discover products, compare prices, and interact with offers,” said Wayne Best, chief economist at Visa.  “This led to a more informed, more intentional consumer, ensuring they could stretch their discretionary spending.”