This year marks the shortest holiday shopping season since 2013. There are six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year compared to last.
But Jonlee Andrews, an IU Clinical Professor of Marketing, says spending is still up for the season. She says online shopping is a big driver, with online spending on Thanksgiving increasing fourteen percent from last year.
“Retailers started so early this year, so much earlier than I think I’ve ever seen," Andrews says. "So, for those that like to get their things done early, they might have started before Halloween.”
The National Retail Federation says shoppers plan to spend around four percent more this year than last year.
Andrews says this weekend will be heavily geared towards Christmas shopping as a result of the shorter shopping season.
