Holiday Quick Take
Keeping a pulse on holiday shopping trends
Each holiday season, the retail and consumer products sector experiences significant transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological innovation, and changing market dynamics. Our annual RCP Holiday Quick Take delivers timely, data-driven perspectives on seasonal retail performance and emerging trends. Explore actionable intelligence to help you navigate one of the most important periods of the retail calendar.
Monitoring key themes over the holiday season
Our RCP Holiday Quick Take aims to provide a focused, real-time pulse on the holiday shopping season—especially around marquee moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, bridging the gap between major pre- and post-season industry reports.
While every season brings new dynamics, our analysis consistently centers on these core themes:
- Consumer behavior and shopping channels: Tracking shifts between physical stores, online, and hybrid as we get closer to the holidays.
- Digital and technological disruption: Exploring the impact of AI, personalized marketing, social commerce, and seamless checkout experiences.
- Sector performance: Assessing which retail segments—discount, luxury, specialty—are leading or lagging during the holidays.
- Operational shifts: Examining labor, logistics, supply chain agility, and inventory strategies unique to peak season.
- Payments and promotions: Evaluating the effect of payment innovations, loyalty programs, and discount strategies on sales and retention.
- Consumer sentiment and economic context: Providing broader economic context, including factors affecting confidence, spending power, and openness to new products.
Actionable insights for retail organizations
Holiday outcomes often signal future trends across the broader retail landscape. Whether preparing for the holiday surge or analyzing season-end performance, our RCP Holiday Quick Take reports are a trusted resource for navigating retail’s ongoing evolution.
