Retailers Kick Off Holiday Sales Early As Shoppers Hunt For Deals Amid High Inflation
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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.
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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.
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Consumers willing to hunt deals, use coupons, shop earlier with 41% seeking discounts, nearly 1 in 3 starting holiday shopping before Halloween.
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Overall holiday sales expected to grow nearly 5% though consumers still cutting back discretionary purchases for gas and groceries.
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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.
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