December 26, 2024 – 7:48 AM PST
(Reuters) – Holiday shoppers opened their wallets at the last minute in search of good deals on online platforms, making significant purchases in apparel, electronics and jewelry, in a sign that household finances remain healthy.
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Spending during the holiday shopping period of Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 rose 3.8% over 2023, said a Mastercard SpendingPulse report, compared to a previously forecast rise of 3.2% and topping the 3.1% increase during the same period last year.
“The consumer is healthy. Unemployment is low. Wages are increasing. Their personal finances are reflective through the fact that they are shopping,” Steve Sadove, senior adviser to Mastercard and…
