• Visa forecasts U.S. retail sales will rise 4.5% year over year in November-December 2026, the strongest holiday growth since 2021.
• Holiday goods prices are projected to rise 3.4%, with inflation-adjusted spending increasing 1.1%.
• Consumers plan to spend $777 on gifts, up 5.6% from $736 in 2025.
• Higher travel costs favor merchandise spending, with 27% prioritizing physical gifts versus 15% prioritizing experiences.
• The retail sales forecast excludes travel and dining, leaving retailers positioned to capture spending diverted from holiday trips.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Visa Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 202611050700BIZWIRE_USPR_____20261105_BW179458) on November 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.