Excluding automotive sales, retail spending during the Black Friday to Christmas Eve period increased an impressive 5.5 percent in 2014, according to early figures frim Mastercard. The increase is in line with original SpendingPulse pre-season forecasts.
Based on initial analysis, the jewelry and women’s apparel sectors performed stronger than other categories. Additional perspective and insights will be available in the full December MasterCard SpendingPulse report in early January.
“While certain retail categories saw steady performance from prior months, the focus on creating experiences stayed at the top of many lists,” said Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president at MasterCard Advisors. “From dining out to planning trips to memorable pieces of jewelry, we saw increases in those categories that will drive future stories beyond just a package exchanged with a friend or family member.”
