Consumer Holiday Spending Rose a Healthy 4.2%
Financial cable network CNBC reports that consumers spent 4.2% more than last year over the holidays. In-store shopping accounted for 73% of total retail volume during the period beginning November 1, 2025, and online made up the rest.
Data came from Visa payments network data and covered core retail categories, excluding automotive, gasoline and restaurants.
Christmas shoppers spent much more this year than last (photo: Envato)
"The underlying surprise here ... is that consumer spending is holding up reasonably well in light of softer consumer confidence than we had this time last year and a number of headwinds and concerns about inflation," Michael Brown, principal U.S. economist at Visa, told CNBC.
Retail Leaders
Electronics was the top-performing category, with sales climbing 5.8%. Apparel and accessories was next with 5.3%. These high numbers counteracted a 1% reduction in building materials and garden equipment and home furnishings was flat, with only a 0.8% gain.
The numbers have not been corrected for inflation, which may mean the real spending growth will be less, but Brown, who estimates the adjusted number to be 2.2%, is still optimistic. "That’s not too bad in light of a lot of uncertainty this year. The consumer is uncertain, they’re cautious, but they’re also smart about how they’re spending their money."
Quick Industry News
GHTA Announces Board of Directors
The slate of directors for 2025-2026 has been announced by Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA). Member voted both in-person and electronically at GHTA's Annual Conference at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Park City, Utah, Oct. 15-17, 2024. The directors are:
- Chair: RaeLee Walton, Roadrunners
- President: Chuck Fraelich, tag
- Vice President: Alison Blackmore, Just Got 2 Have It
- Secretary: Janice Dayon Christensen, nora fleming
- Treasurer: Trudi Bartow, Unemployed Philosophers Guild
- Melissa Bloom, Twist Sales
- Cole Daugherty, Dallas Market Center
- Adriana de Mello, de Mello Co
- Lindsay DeMyer, Darrah & Co
- Benno Duenkelsbehler, (re)Align Expansion Sherpas
- Michael Griffith, Enesco
- Michele Leuthold, Sincere Surroundings
- Terence Morris, AndMore
- Andy Bjork, Parliamentarian
TRADE SHOW NEWS
Virtual Trade Show Is Live
Once again, OmegaNet, publisher of this newsletter, is conducting a VIRTUAL trade show at giftshowspecials.com where you can view information, images and videos from vendors about their lines and see their trade show dates, locations and specials.
NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES
Featured Vendors
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Ala Carte Alice
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Ala Carte Alice's mission is simple: to provide the best products and service to their customers and use the freshest ingredients that they can find. Alice Wooten takes great pride in her company, their commitment to customer service and in the products they sell. Ala Carte Alice’s products include savory sauces, red dog rubs, glazes, relishes and jams. Black and Blue Bacon, Creme Brulee and Sante Fe are just some of the yummy cheese balls Alice offers. In addition, there are mouth watering desserts, party dips and awesome entrees. You have go to try Ala Carte Alice for an excellent cullinary experience!
Albert L
The albert L. (punkt) products are all traditionally handcrafted. We are striving to support the conventional social structures. Hanoi’s craft villages hold cultural values that are built up and cemented after generations of craftsmen here. At these villages, there are so many skillful craftsmen that the entire village becomes a large manufacturing center, like bamboo, ceramic, rattan etc. In order to guarantee high quality standards, all our products are checked and controlled by our quality team in our warehouse in Hanoi and once more in our warehouse here in the US before it is sent for an order.
Billy Joe Homewares
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Unique and decorative kitchen sink strainers, kitchen sink stoppers and toilet roll holders.
CarstensCarstens tagline is "Outfitters for the Wild at Heart." They feature bedding, pillows, throws, curtains, bath, rugs, footstools and themed products for Holiday, Wrangler, Kids and more.
Dutch House Caramels
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Dutch House Caramels was founded in 1997, when the owners of Bayfields Bake Shop & Grill, in Alexandria, Minnesota developed a recipe for caramel candy and started making the product in the restaurant. Today the company features caramels in a variety of assortments and gift boxes.
EMV TradingEMV's products are deeply inspired by nature with an emphasis on creating beautiful lasting memories. The company's vast selection of unique products complements fine jewelry stores or gift/souvenir shop. EMV jewelry is perfect for any occasion, ranging from formal to casual events with specialization in Hawaiian Koa jewelry and also offering: license plates, shells and pearls jewelry, sterling silver/stainless steel/tungsten/wood collections, assorted natural gemstones and stone fashion jewelry.
Fairhope Favorites
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Fairhope Favorites Inc. is a family owned 32 year old wholesale gourmet food company with unique items, such as Moonshine Hot Sauces and other novelty gifts. We are from Fairhope, Alabama in the deep south and all of our products are made here in the USA. "We pride ourselves with our unique products, with a touch of humor, and take great pride in all of our items."
Fancy That Gift & Décor
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Fancy That Gift & Decor, Inc. celebrated its 18th anniversary in August, 2019. Owners, Steve and Carmen Mendelson, have used their experience in gift and home decor to build a company that takes pride in providing quality Coastal Decor products and service with the highest levels of integrity always at the forefront.
Festive Finds
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At Festive Finds, we bring the magic of each season straight to your doorstep. Our mission is to provide a delightful shopping experience, offering a wide range of seasonal merchandise for every occasion and celebration.
FG Square Village
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The company's mission is to craft flawless seasonal pieces for aficionados of villages, ranging from Halloween animated villages to Christmas figurines. Rooted in years of retail experience and fortified by design and production expertise, the FG Square brand was officially established in 2022. The company has a dedicated focus on supplying holiday villages to diverse retailers across the United States.
Gage Inc.
Gage Inc. sells their exclusive designer Venetian crystal and Italian glass vases, decanters and drinkware to accounts throughout United States and beyond. They have earned the reputation as one of the most trusted, innovative suppliers of exclusive, affordable designer gift and decorative items that endure the test of time and cherished for their generational heirloom qualities. Gage Meyer is President and Creative Director for Gage Inc.
Gina B. Designs
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Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
The Great San Saba River Pecan Company
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The Great San Saba River Pecan Company is located in a huge pecan orchard near San Saba in Texas. The company's products include Preserves in a variety of flavors, Toppings, "Popin" Popcorn Pecan Snack and Pecan Pie in-a-Jar.
Grow Rock
Grow Rock, a family-owned company that brings 200-year-old science used by farmers to boost crops and yield, into your home to help your plants grow bigger and faster. Grow rock uses innovative technology to generate microcurrents in the soil, which increases absorption of water and nutrients, resulting in larger, more lush, beautiful plants without the use of harmful chemicals or fertilizers. Grow Rock is available in four stylish designs with many more styles to come.
HEDi GearHEDi Gear features HEDi backpacks, patches, luggage tags, stickers and more for schools, teams, etc. The HEDi-PACK was created with the understanding that it’s just a handful of moments in our lives that make us the people we are today. Every HEDi-PACK comes with added Velcro areas for you to celebrate these moments, customizing your HEDi-PACK by adding patches.
JAG Enterprises Inc.
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Having been in business now for 31 years, JAG Enterprises Inc. is the premier place to find your special collegiate, gift and souvenir needs at the best price available.
Magnolia Lane Collection
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At Magnolia Lane, our desire is to produce gifts that become part of celebrations, memories, and family treasures. Our licensed tailgating products, Christmas line, The South collection, and outdoor decor will enhance and compliment every occasion! We are proud of what we do and are ever grateful and dedicated to our customers.
Michael Grace Gifts
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Michael Grace Gifts focuses on creating beautiful gifts that celebrate life's everyday moments and milestone memories, reflecting the unique personalities and individuality that make each of us treasure one another. Understanding the profound value of gift-giving and relationships, the company curates elegant gifts comprised of unforgettable products that are both visually stunning and a joy to use.
Mills Gourmet
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Mills Gourmet says, "Our products are available in our local area and throughout the US! Every gourmet mix we cultivate is made from scratch right here in our kitchen with the same needs in mind---taste, quality and affordability. We are proud of every single product in our inventory, and we promise our unique blends will give you a taste of real goodness!"
Mountaineer Floral
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Mountaineer Floral, LLC, is a family-owned silk floral wholesale company specializing in silk flower bushes, silk floral Styrofoam, decorative silk sympathy designs, baskets, and ribbon (seasonal, shear, tuxedo, and floral satin). Over the past 30 years, The company has built relationships with customers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Mountaineer Floral's business is a blend of high quality products at reasonable prices. The company is family owned and operated, now in the third generation.
The Ornament King
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This exquisite line of meticulously hand painted European made ornaments, mouth blown glass as in days of old, is available exclusively from The Ornament King™ (Santa's Right Hand Man). Each style is made in limited quantities — once gone, they’re gone!
Pure Mana Hawaii
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Pure Mana Hawaii Founders Sue Mandini and Kollette Stith bring the wisdom of living close to the land and in harmony with nature's rhythms to the marketplace in their luxury skincare line. Built from the ground up, the brand features wild harvested ingredients and a synergy of raw, wild macadamia nut oil and green coffee bean oil, grown on their family's certified organic farm, Mahina Mele in Hawaii.
Quintessential Chocolates
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Quintessential Chocolates specializes in the centuries old art form of casting “Liqueur Praliné” or the European style Liquid Center Chocolates (“with a sugar crust”). The process the company uses is more than 200 years old. Quintessential is the only manufacturer of this specialty confection in America and has been creating these chocolates since 1984.
Samuel Lamont USA
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Founded in 1835, Samuel Lamont is a family run business that continues to manufacture kitchen textiles and provide luxury homeware and giftware. They offer the popular Poli-Dri Tea Towels, Aprons and so much more.
Sassy Talkin'
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Graphic designer, photographer, and artist Diana uses all of her talents to create unique designs on humorous decorative towels, coasters, ornaments and tumblers for women. New products are created by Diana listening to her customers. What sets Sassy Talkin' apart is the fact that the company creates for its customers and name drop with no set up fees.
Serenity + Sol
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Serenity + Sol features Metaphysical Products, including Crystal Bags, Essential Oils, Jewelry, Key Rings, "Evil Eye", Sage and Smudge and Sun Catchers. Prepacks are also available.
SparkJumpSparkJump's goal is simple... They want their high-quality kids woodworking products to inspire kids and adults of all ages to build amazing things together, so everyone experiences the joy of creating something special with someone special.
Sunset Vista Designs
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Sunset Vista Designs offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the "best ever" line of innovative gift, garden, and home decor.
The Whitehurst Company
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The Whitehurst Company has roots in the Christmas and Home Holiday industry dating back to 1947, first started by Mr. and Mrs. Morris Whitehurst. Now owned and managed as a multi-generation, family-owned business, The Whitehurst Company offers you a wide selection of holiday decor. Products include the largest selection of solid colored ornaments, curated collections of European glass molds, along with licensed products that include Zim’s Elves Themselves, Zim's Collectible Heirloom Nutcrackers and Children of the Inner Light by Marci inspirational ornaments.