Shopping through a K-shaped holiday season
<p>As another holiday season kicked off on Black Friday, finding the perfect gift is top of mind for many. But how much will <a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-economy-inflation-trump-tariffs-47d6cc81d0138d352ee3f9425c4bc844" class="default">weary American consumers</a> be willing to spend this year? Based on early data … <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/11/29/black-friday-online-sales-up-nearly-10-from-last-year-study-shows/" class="default">it’s a lot!</a> Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain why the K-shaped economy may explain the contradiction and why AI is making its way into Americans’ shopping habits. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!</p><br/><p>Here’s what we talked about on the show today:</p><br/><ul><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/11/25/september-retail-sales-fail-to-impress">”September retail sales fail to impress”</a> from Marketplace</li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/01/black-friday-cyber-monday-spending-tops-records">”Black Friday, Cyber Monday spending expected to top records”</a> from Marketplace</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/11/29/black-friday-online-sales-up-nearly-10-from-last-year-study-shows/">”Black Friday Sales Spike Despite Economic Uncertainty, Study Shows—Here’s Why”</a> from Forbes</li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/episode/2025/11/28/tis-the-season-for-credit-card-debt">“‘Tis the season for credit card debt”</a> from Marketplace</li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/03/how-are-retailers-benefitting-from-the-buy-now-pay-later-boom" title="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/03/how-are-retailers-benefitting-from-the-buy-now-pay-later-boom">”How are retailers benefiting from the "buy now, pay later" boom?”</a> from Marketplace</li><li><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/05/the-marketing-success-of-spotify-wrapped" title="https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/05/the-marketing-success-of-spotify-wrapped">”What is your Spotify listening age?”</a> from Marketplace</li><li><a href="https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/12/04/more-than-8-in-10-americans-are-more-likely-to-purchase-secondhand-gifts-this-year" title="https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/12/04/more-than-8-in-10-americans-are-more-likely-to-purchase-secondhand-gifts-this-year">”More than 8 in 10 Americans are more likely to purchase secondhand gifts this year”</a> from Retail Brew</li><li><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/target-launches-new-ai-powered-features-to-make-holiday-shopping-easier-smarter-and-more-fun-302612422.html" title="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/target-launches-new-ai-powered-features-to-make-holiday-shopping-easier-smarter-and-more-fun-302612422.html">”Target Launches New AI-Powered Features to Make Holiday Shopping Easier, Smarter and More Fun”</a> from PR Newswire</li></ul><br/><br/><p>Missed Giving Tuesday? It's always a great time to become a Marketplace investor. Give now: <strong><a href="https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn" class="c-link c-link--underline">https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn</a></strong></p>
