January 6, 2025
This story was originally published on Retail Dive . To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter .
Experts in September predicted record digital sales for the 2024 holiday season , and according to Mastercard’s latest data, retail didn’t disappoint. Though Mastercard’s numbers are preliminary, its consumers embraced digital first shopping during the latest holiday shopping season with e-commerce, curbside pickup and delivery as top options, according to the survey.
“The holiday shopping season revealed a consumer who is willing and able to spend but driven by a search for value as can be seen by concentrated e-commerce spending during the biggest promotional periods,” Michelle Meyer, chief economist at the Mastercard Economics Institute, said in a statement. “Solid spending during this holiday season underscores the strength we observed from the consumer all year, supported by the healthy labor market and household wealth gains."
The season also saw a year-over-year increase in spend on goods. Apparel saw a 3.6% increase, jewelry saw 4% increase and electronics at 3.7 % rise, per the report.
Virtual event / Free to access
Go deeper with an exclusive virtual event, How the 2024 Holiday Season Fared & What It Says About 2025 , from the editorial team at Retail Dive.
Learn more ➔
Online purchases ruled across the U.S. as shoppers in cities like Tampa (10.6%) and Phoenix (10%) saw double-digit e-commerce growth. Additionally, Minneapolis (8.9%), Dallas (8.4%), Charlotte (7.9%), Orlando (7.8%), and Houston (7.6%) showed e-commerce growth compared to last year.
Recommended Reading
