2026
9
US Shopping for Non-Winter Holidays Consumer Report 2026
2026-04-07T14:01:40+00:00
REP91C77232_4355_4DDD_8772_3243558DDD7F
3695
192531
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Report
en_GB
Non-winter holidays anticipated spending reached $138B (+37% since 2019), illustrating that even under prolonged inflation, consumers largely refuse to forgo celebration, highlighting these occasions' emotional resilience and commercial heft. As…
US
Retail
simple

US Shopping for Non-Winter Holidays Consumer Report 2026

"Financial constraints continue, but consumers are not abandoning these occasions; they're simply redefining how they shop and celebrate."

Marisa Ortega, Analyst - Retail & eCommerce

Marisa Ortega, Analyst - Retail & eCommerce

Non-winter holidays anticipated spending reached $138B (+37% since 2019), illustrating that even under prolonged inflation, consumers largely refuse to forgo celebration, highlighting these occasions’ emotional resilience and commercial heft. As 2026 unfolds, consumer budgets continue to be constrained, with many limiting their spending on these occasions. Nevertheless, non-winter holidays remain outlets for connection, tradition and joy. Tapping into the emotional significance of these occasions will continue to allow brands to resonate with consumers, while also helping them justify the expense.

The biggest industry impact is the rising expectations for authentic DEIB; 57% of adults, and 67% of 18-44s, want brands to recognize more cultural holidays, placing inclusivity at the center of growth strategies. The move to more inclusive calendars can deepen both reputation and growth, identifying multiculturalism as one of the market opportunities.

Conversely, the greatest threat is that ongoing cost of living pressure could cement reliance on discounts, creating a potentially margin eroding cycle. To sustain growth, brands must pair value focused offers with emotionally uplifting and culturally relevant experiences, ensuring non-winter holidays remain both profitable and meaningful moments to connect with consumers.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Impact of inflation on non-winter holiday budgets and value seeking behaviors
  • Rising demand for culturally inclusive celebrations
  • Growth outlook and fastest expanding occasions
  • Role of social, visual and AI discovery in shaping holiday inspiration
  • Product, pricing and experiential tactics that balance emotional payoff with value

Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for Shopping for Non-Winter Holidays – US
    • Opportunities
    • Cultivate year round celebration momentum
    • Win the “Celebrate but Save” shopper
    • Graph 1: attitudes toward non-winter holidays – any agree, by age and parental status, 2025
    • Engage multicultural audiences through inclusive celebrations
  2. THE MARKET

    • Stretching budgets impact non-winter holiday shopping behaviors
    • True DEIB is a business imperative
    • Graph 2: distribution of US genetations, by race, 2023
    • Non-winter holidays allow consumers to nurture relationships
    • Market landscape
    • Non-winter holiday anticipated spending on the rise, Halloween and Father’s Day lead the pack
    • Graph 3: anticipated total expenditures, in current dollars, 2015-25
    • Dads are getting a raise (in gift value)
    • From trick or treat to a household affair
    • Anticipated spending for Mother’s Day soars
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Non-winter holidays as the new “Everyday” celebration economy
    • Graph 4: non-winter holidays observed or celebrated, 2025
    • Graph 5: non-winter holidays shopped for, 2025
    • Togetherness, tradition and emotional value
    • Crumbl’s sweet strategy for Valentine’s Day
    • Food, candy and “Small Joy” purchases drive participation
    • Graph 6: non-winter holiday purchases, 2025
    • OLIPOP and Smarties reinvent Halloween treats
    • Demographics shape how people celebrate, not whether they do
    • Graph 7: non-winter holiday purchases, by age, 2025
    • Graph 8: non-winter holidays shopped for, by parental status and number of children in household*, 2025
    • The best way to spread non-winter holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear
    • Value driven behaviors shape the path to purchase
    • Jet-Puffed helps consumers keep their Easter traditions
    • Value driven behaviors influence retailer choice during non-winter holidays
    • Graph 9: non-winter holidays shopping behaviors, by financial situation, 2025
    • Graph 10: retailers shopped, by financial situation, 2025
    • Retailers appealing to value driven behaviors
    • Discovery is becoming social, visual and AI-assisted
    • Graph 11: non-winter holidays shopping behaviors, by age, 2025
    • Valentine’s Day exclusive by Kylie Cosmetics
    • Cultural and inclusive holidays are underserved but desired
    • The untapped potential of cultural holidays
    • Graph 12: attitudes towards non-winter holidays – any agree, by race or ethnicity, 2025
    • Graph 13: non-winter holidays shopped for, by race or ethnicity, 2025
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Little Sleepies delights families
    • Fishwife reaches consumers across generations through gifting
    • Daily Harvest focuses on wellness to celebrate moms
  5. APPENDIX

    • Report scope
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology – US
    • US generation groups
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations and Terms

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