Retail Gets Real · with Katherine Cullen · November 25, 2025 · 24 min
Summary
This episode dives into the crucial factors driving holiday shopping in 2025, offering retailers a strategic preview. It uncovers key consumer trends, spending forecasts, and the enduring influence of tradition and in-store experiences on purchasing decisions. Ecommerce operators will gain insights into preparing their strategies for one of the most significant sales periods of the year.
Key takeaways
Analyze emerging toy trends and children's preferences for 2025 to optimize product assortments and marketing for young demographics.
Understand how traditional holiday elements (e.g., food, music) influence consumer sentiment and integrate these into marketing campaigns and in-store experiences to foster emotional connections.
Leverage insights into where consumers find gift inspiration to refine marketing channels and content strategies, ensuring brand messages resonate effectively.
Invest in creating compelling in-store discovery experiences, as these remain a powerful driver alongside technology in holiday shopping behavior.
Monitor and adapt to early shopping trends, debunking myths with data-driven strategies to capture consumer spending effectively throughout the holiday season.
As the winter season approaches, families across the country are stepping into the holidays with renewed enthusiasm — and retailers are preparing for one of the most meaningful shopping periods of the year. In this episode of Retail Gets Real, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen breaks down the latest holiday data, uncovers shopping trends and shares the heartfelt traditions that define how Americans celebrate this time of year.From spending forecasts and toy trends to the influence of technology and the enduring magic of in-store discovery, this episode offers insights into what consumers value most — and why the holidays remain essential to so many.(00:00:00) Holiday kickoff and early shopping myths(00:07:38) What kids really want—and what toys are trending for 2025(00:11:35) Where holiday gift inspiration really comes from(00:16:41) The songs, foods, and flavors that define the holidays(00:19:58) The traditions that make the holidays meaningfulThe National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association.Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.Resources:• Get ready for Retail’s Big Show in NYC• Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org• Learn about retail advocacy at n
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Analyze emerging toy trends and children's preferences for 2025 to optimize product assortments and marketing for young demographics.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Understand how traditional holiday elements (e.g., food, music) influence consumer sentiment and integrate these into marketing campaigns and in-store experiences to foster emotional connections.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Leverage insights into where consumers find gift inspiration to refine marketing channels and content strategies, ensuring brand messages resonate effectively.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Invest in creating compelling in-store discovery experiences, as these remain a powerful driver alongside technology in holiday shopping behavior.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Monitor and adapt to early shopping trends, debunking myths with data-driven strategies to capture consumer spending effectively throughout the holiday season.
