Insights for the 2025 Holiday Season
About the Episode
How can you maximize holiday revenue when you’re facing tariff uncertainty, shifting consumer confidence, and limited time to prepare for the holiday season?
In a new episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner breaks down the 2025 holiday shopping landscape with actionable strategies drawn from our survey of 1,100 small businesses, plus the latest consumer research showing where shoppers are actually spending, and how they want to shop.
Takeaways
- More than one third of small businesses are cautious about inventory purchases.
- Gift cards and clothing accessories are top spending categories for 2025.
- Millennials are expected to spend the most during the holidays.
- AI tools are increasingly used for gift ideas and price comparisons.
- Consumers are concerned about tariffs affecting prices and shopping plans.
- In-store shopping remains competitive despite the rise of online shopping.
- 70% of Gen Z plans to shop at local or independent retailers.
- Creating a sensory-rich in-store experience is crucial for attracting customers.
- Social media usage varies significantly across generations for shopping inspiration.
- Small businesses should focus on hyper-personalization and limited inventory options.
Episode Links:
Amex Shop Small Grants Program
We have some super exciting news to share with you all! Main Street America and American Express are teaming up to launch a new grant program for small business owners. The Amex Shop Small Grants Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S. The application will open on this Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025.
And get this. Every time an American Express Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on November 29, American Express will donate an additional $1 to fund additional grants. So, there’s an extra incentive to get out there and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday! You can find eligible small businesses in your community on the Shop Small Map. American Express Debit Cards are not eligible.”
Find more information on our website at mainstreet.org/shopsmallgrant.
About the Main Street Business Insights Podcast
Each week, join host Matt Wagner, Ph.D., as he travels the country and takes a deep dive into the personal journeys of downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs. The stories that far too often go unheard. Learn about the innovative ways that these Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, whether it’s starting a new enterprise or keeping a multi-generation business alive, and the advice they have for others on how to keep their businesses on track. Main Street Business Insights is powered by Main Street America.
