Even with concerns about the economy being on every newscaster’s lead story, the holidays haven’t been cancelled. Your customers are still planning to celebrate. The question is not “Will they spend?” It is “Where, how, and with whom?”

Here is the good news: national forecasts say 2025 holiday retail sales are expected to top 1 trillion dollars for the first time, with overall growth around3.7% to 4.2%over last year. Online spending alone is projected to hit roughly $253 billion, up more than 5% from 2024.

Here is the tension: despite those industry predictions, individual shoppers say they plan to cut their own holiday spending by about 10%, mostly because of higher everyday costs. They still want to honor traditions, but they are trimming extras and searching for real value in every dollar.

While it may not always feel like it, there is plenty of money moving through the season. But it won’t land with businesses that look generic or transactional. It will go to places that feel worth it. So, what can you do to be recognized as one of “those places?”

You need to show value and create memorable experiences to attract your community’s dollars right back into local store fronts. You can do this by:

1. Sell Solutions, Not “Stuff”
2. Turn Your Space into a Mini Holiday Experience  
3. Collaborate so Your Offers Feel Bigger Than Your Budget
4.HelpCustomers Feel Like Financial Grown-Ups, Not Guilty Spenders
5.UseDigital Tools to Capture Online Spend, Not Compete with It