Retailers Kick Off Holiday Sales Early As Shoppers Hunt For Deals Amid High Inflation

Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target starting holiday sales early to capture consumer spending as shoppers deal with inflation, rising interest rates, and resuming student loan payments.

61% of marketers spending holiday ad budgets in Oct-Nov mostly via online ads, social media, video streaming; 86% spending same or more than 2021.

Consumers willing to hunt deals, use coupons, shop earlier with 41% seeking discounts, nearly 1 in 3 starting holiday shopping before Halloween.

Overall holiday sales expected to grow nearly 5% though consumers still cutting back discretionary purchases for gas and groceries.

BNPL services like Affirm and Afterpay poised for growth, with 1 in 10 shoppers planning to use and spending forecast to jump 17% this season.