Shoppers are making their lists and checking them twice- Georgians are predicted to spend $890.49 per person this holiday season, the second-highest amount on record.
OCTOBER 29, 2025
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia’s retailers are gearing up for a merry and bright holiday shopping season. Consumers in Georgia are projected to spend an average of $890.49 per person this year on gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal favorites, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. This year’s holiday spending forecast is the second-highest in the survey’s 23-year history, just 1.3% below last year’s record of $901.99.
“Despite economic uncertainty, consumers remain committed to celebrating the season with loved ones,” said Shelby Dotson, Executive Director of the Georgia Retailers. “With many shoppers planning to take advantage of seasonal sales, Georgia’s retailers are ready with deals and savings to ensure everyone has what they need to make the holidays special.”
Key findings from the survey:
- $627.93 of holiday spending will go toward gifts for family and friends, with $262.56 spent on decorations, food, candy, and greeting cards.
- Nearly all U.S. adults (91%) plan to celebrate winter holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa.
- Early shopping remains popular, with 42% of shoppers planning to start before November, key reasons being to spread out spending (54%) or to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping (41%). Even with the early start, the majority (60%) anticipate they will finish shopping in December.
- Online shopping continues to be the top holiday shopping destination, with 55% of shoppers planning to purchase online, followed by grocery stores (46%), department stores (44%), and discount retailers (42%).
- Popular gifts include gift cards (50%), clothing and accessories (46%), books and other media (27%), personal care and beauty items (23%), and electronics (22%).
- Families with children plan to spend $33 more on average on gifts this year.
- 63% of shoppers plan to do most of their holiday shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend, up from 59% last year.
“Retail remains a cornerstone of Georgia’s economy, supporting more than one million jobs statewide,” said Dotson. “The holiday season truly makes our industry shine — showcasing the strength of Georgia’s retailers and the important role they play in helping families celebrate and communities thrive.”
For more insights into winter holiday shopping trends or to explore national retail data, visit the National Retail Federation at https://nrf.com.
ABOUT GEORGIA RETAILERS
Georgia Retailers is the statewide trade association that champions the retail industry, representing businesses that connect directly with consumers. Retailers in Georgia play a vital role in the state’s economy, contributing $171 billion annually and supporting 1.9 million jobs—accounting for 28% of all employment across the state. Collectively, Georgia’s retailers pay more than $39 billion in wages each year and generate billions in sales tax revenue, fueling essential public services and government initiatives.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
Contact: Shelby Dotson shelby@georgiaretail.org