FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 7, 2022
CONTACT: Amanda Bevis
(202) 680-9262
Tallahassee, FL – Floridians are already preparing for the holidays as shoppers stock up on gifts and seasonal items. According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, despite the concerns about inflation, 62% of shoppers believe that it is important to spend on holiday gifts and celebrations. In fact, the holidays are poised to be even more festive as 91% of shoppers plan to celebrate this year.
Nearly half of consumers (46%) started purchasing items off their holiday lists before November. Most shoppers (60%) have strategized to spread out their gift-shopping budget to avoid additional stress during the holiday season.
“The winter holiday season is an extra special time for Floridians to exchange gifts and celebrate with their family and friends,” shares Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “During this season of giving, Florida retailers are here to provide a stress-free shopping experience so you can focus on what matters most this holiday season, your loved ones. Remember to support your local retailers and Find it in Florida.”
Many shoppers (44%) are feeling the pressure of rising costs and limited availability, purchasing holiday gifts and other items early in order to avoid the possibility of products becoming more expensive.
Additional reasons consumers are shopping early this holiday season include:
- To avoid the stress of last-minute shopping – 43%
- To avoid crowds – 42%
- Prices and promotions are too good to pass up – 39%
- To avoid missing out on specific items – 32%
This year’s holiday retail sales are forecasted to grow between 6% and 8% during November and December with sales reaching between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion, over 2021. Consumers will spend an average of $832.84 on gifts and holiday items including decorations and food.
Gift cards remain the top gift as 54% of shoppers listed them as the highest on their wish list. Other top gifts include:
- Clothing and accessories – 49%
- Books and other media – 30%
- Electronics – 24%
- Home decor – 23%
- Jewelry – 21%
- Personal care – 20%
- Sporting goods – 18%
- Home improvement – 17%
- Other – 7%
While e-commerce remains strong this year, with 56% of shoppers planning to purchase items online, Floridians have returned to in-store purchases to take advantage of the traditional holiday shopping experience. This year’s expected household shift to in-store shopping has caused a decrease in e-commerce purchases compared to the 57% of consumers who planned to shop online in 2021.
This year’s other top holiday shopping destinations include:
- Discount stores – 48%
- Department stores – 47%
- Grocery stores – 45%
- Clothing & accessories stores – 31%
- Local retail stores or small businesses – 24%
- Electronics store – 20%
- Crafts store – 17%
- Other specialty stores – 12%
- Drug store – 12%
- Thrift store – 12%
- Outlet store – 11%
- Catalog – 7%
- Other – 3%
This holiday season, when shoppers “Find It In Florida” and shop local retailers, they help boost the local economy and support community businesses. Learn more about the “Find It In Florida” program at the website.
For more information on the predictions of the National Retail Federation, visit: https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-predicts-healthy-holiday-sales-consumers-navigate-economic.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.