Holiday season stories

Festive food, drink and dining out delivered a surprise December spending lift, as households splurged ahead of Christmas gatherings.

Kaleidoscope.com urges UK firms to treat mid-January as the real start of Q1 planning, warning December forecasts are built on distorted data.

Adobe says generative AI referrals to retailers jumped nearly 700% over the 2025 holidays, driving longer visits and stronger conversions.

Black Friday still delivered the peak online surge, but AI-driven search stretched shopping demand across a longer November window.

Retailers urged to brace for early-year spike in chargebacks as mobile shopping and buy now, pay later fuel record US holiday spend.

AI notebook prices across Europe have slumped by a third, pushing the tech into the mainstream as retailers juggle volume against margins.

US holiday shoppers to rein in festive spending as 60% say financial strain will curb gift budgets, new national survey data shows.

US holiday online sales hit a record USD $257.8 billion as shoppers shifted to mobiles, Buy Now Pay Later and generative AI search tools.

AI agents, circular retail and tighter rules will upend shopping by 2026, Akeneo warns, as poor product data threatens brand visibility.

Tesco tops the UK’s Christmas social media league, outpacing rivals on engagement and EMV with a wide-reaching creator-led strategy.

Ransomware attacks dipped in November, but ClickFix techniques and alliances between groups like Qilin and CL0P drove fresh risks.

UK retailers brace for a GBP £1.05bn blow from 52 million post-Christmas gift returns, as hybrid shopping and fashion fit issues drive costs.

SMBs battling holiday shipping chaos can turn freight into a strategic edge with smarter tech, clearer pricing and centralised partners.

AI tools and online deals help drive a 5% rise in Australian Christmas retail spending, with discount and department stores surging.

Qantas will serve 196,000 allergen-friendly Indigenous Cooee Christmas cookies, giving the native superfoods brand major national exposure.

Retailers brace for a “Christmas Returns Hangover” as eDesk reports a 45% spike in return requests from 26 December, denting profits.

AI is transforming Christmas CX from chaotic surge to controlled service, helping teams stay resilient, protect wellbeing and meet soaring demand.

Australian holiday shoppers are spending strategically, forcing retailers to sharpen promotions, personalise offers and boost in-store experience.

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children’s social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

Crypto fans pen a festive wishlist to Santa, hoping 2026 brings calmer markets, clearer rules and fewer awkward family debates.