The Holiday Outlook: Cooling Inflation, Shifting Gift Choices
- With the holidays around the corner, shoppers have some good news: inflation is easing. November’s CPI came in at 2.7%, closer to Occam’s 3.0% forecast than the Street’s 3.1% consensus (data available upon request), marking another win for Occam and giving consumers more flexibility as they plan their holiday purchases.
- Occam’s annual holiday gift tracking highlights this year’s trends. Clothing, accessories, and gift cards remain top choices. Gift cards, in particular, have surged to 59.5%, as shoppers increasingly prioritize guaranteed utility over the risk of unwanted purchases.
- Electronics, meanwhile, are seeing less interest this season. After peaking last year, interest has declined to 33.5%, suggesting a shift in consumer attention away from headline-driven tech purchases.
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