The $512 billion holiday shopping market has developed based on the assumption that major holidays drive consumer spending in stores for particular types of goods. Holiday shopping is, to some extent, a self-fulfilling prophecy: because retailers emphasize particular holidays, consumers are reminded of these events and are inspired to celebrate them. Well-stocked shelves with holiday-themed merchandise induce demand. Yet Mintel’s research has found that despite similar retailing practices for many holidays, some holidays are fundamentally more important to American consumers than others, and the ways in which consumers expect to celebrate them differs dramatically, depending on the holiday.

The downturn in the economy has had a profound effect on the ways in which consumers choose to celebrate holidays, and has forced many to prioritize which holidays they observe. However, large opportunities still remain for retailers to win their share of consumer spending for the major holidays of the year. Particular brands and retailers may already have an ingoing advantage for certain holidays, but shifting consumer spending habits has changed the playing field, creating an opportunity for all retailers – even upscale retailers – to showcase the value they provide to consumers in a new way.

To explain current performance and future trends in this marketplace, Mintel’s review of the holiday shopping market explores:

Effective strategies for retailers to continue to bring consumers into stores for holiday shopping despite the current economic recession

A thorough analysis of the needs that drive consumer demand for goods merchandised during holiday events in-store

Deep profiles of consumer behavior in the category, with a clear read on consumer sentiment regarding each of the major shopping holidays

Innovative ideas for improvement of holiday offerings for each of the holidays studied in this report

A definitive read on the factors that can drive further growth for each retailer