NORFOLK, Va. — It is that time of year again when people are pulling out their wallets for holiday shopping. News 3 is looking into what to expect locally and nationally in 2025.
Friday, the holiday season was underway at Sunflower Florist in Norfolk.
“We probably won’t see over-the-top designs but we’ll see very conservative and holiday-style arrangements," Sunflower Florist Merchandising Director Paul Rubenstein said.
Watch: Why shoppers may see fewer deals this holiday shopping season
He said that’s because of what he calls the environment right now.
“With tariffs and people just getting back to work from the government. So, they’ll probably be a little more conservative and a little more last-minute but we’re prepared for that," Rubenstein explained.
Watch: AI toys raise safety concerns ahead of Black Friday shopping
As of Friday, the National Retail Federation expected retail sales in 2025 to pass $1 trillion for the first time. Specifically, spending in November and December was expected to be 3.7 to 4.2 percent more than 2024.
That’s about the same as 2024 when holiday spending went up 4.3 percent.
In a news release, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay says “We remain bullish about the holiday shopping season and expect that consumers will continue to seek savings in nonessential categories to be able to spend on gifts for loved ones.”
Watch: Small businesses divided on economy as tariffs, uncertainty persist
Patrick Benson hadn’t thought about holiday shopping as of Friday, but he was thinking about saving money.
"In terms of going to my folks’ place for the holidays, just canceled that," said Benson.
For him, though, the desire to save money isn’t just seasonal.
Watch: How much effect will the shutdown have on the consumer economy?
“Every other month, I just figure out something I used to be able to afford is slightly less affordable," Benson said.
An unfortunate reality likely facing many, but one that, hopefully, won’t take the joy out of the holiday season.
