Holiday​ shopping insights: 2025 retail trends, tariff impacts​ and how consumers are using AI​

Holiday 2025: A renewed time for joy and cheer​

Despite a challenging economic climate, consumers across generations are ready to spend. Is your marketing ready to take advantage as December nears? ​

While Mariah Carey and “Jingle Bells” aren’t playing on the radio quite yet, retailers and marketers are already starting to prepare for the busy holiday season ahead.

If last year was marked by post-election stress and tightening purse strings, this year, U.S. consumers are clinging to optimism and looking for ways to celebrate. But what does that mean for brands?​

Even with fresh concerns over tariffs and the economy at large, consumers across generations are planning to spend about the same this holiday season, and younger generations are planning to spend more.

We’re also seeing an increase in AI usage for holiday shopping and inspiration and an increase in holiday travel spending. How can brands capitalize on the excitement?

Download Epsilon's holiday shopping report to learn what consumers have to say about:​

• How they’re budgeting and spending across categories​
• How tariffs are impacting their spending and cost-saving strategies​
• Their preferred retailers and product/brand choices​
• Whether they prefer to shop in-store or online for holiday items​
• AI usage for holiday shopping and inspiration​
• Social media and influencer impact on holiday shopping

Epsilon Pulse is the beating heart of Epsilon’s proprietary research. Designed to produce relevant and up-to-date insights about consumers, marketers and their preferences, Epsilon Pulse helps brands better understand the adtech and martech industry so they can make informed, data-driven marketing decisions.