Holiday Economics
Introduction
The holiday season is an important time of year, not only for family togetherness, but also for the economic impact it has on businesses. A recent survey by Deloitte estimated that retail holiday sales in the US would increase over 4 percent in 2017, and economists have predicted steady growth during the holiday period. But what factors influence holiday economics, and how has this economic cycle shifted in recent years?
An Overview of Holiday Economics
“Holiday economics” is the study of how holidays and seasonal patterns can be used to predict and influence the economy. This type of analysis is important to help understand how the economy behaves during holidays and what kinds of trends there are in spending and customer demand. Holiday economics is based on understanding the psychology and behavior of consumers during different holidays and periods.
When thinking about holiday economics, economists typically focus on two key factors: consumer spending and inflation. Consumer spending is an important component of the economy and influences it both directly and indirectly. Consumer spending is a major component of economic growth, as people buy more goods and services. On the other hand, inflation is the rise in prices of goods and services, which in turn has an impact on consumer behavior and the overall economy.
How Has Holiday Economics Changed?
Over the past decade, there has been a shift in holiday economics. As the economy goes through its cyclical pattern, the timing and nature of holiday economics has changed.
One key factor that has changed is the timing of holiday shopping. Thanks to technology advancements, such as the availability of online shopping, holiday shopping has shifted earlier and earlier. This early trend of shopping for gifts and decorations has been further amplified by holiday discounts and promotions that happen throughout the season.
Another change has been the move from traditional gifting to experiential gifting. This shift has been spurred by the rise of experiences being purchased as gifts, such as restaurant meals, spa packages, and tourist attractions. This type of gifting has become increasingly popular and has helped to drive holiday sales.
Finally, the rise of international travel during the holidays has also changed the economic landscape. As the middle class in emerging economies expands, there is increased travel during the holidays and increased spending in other countries. This creates additional opportunities for economic growth during the holiday season.
Conclusion
Overall, holiday economics provides valuable insight into the cyclical patterns of the economy and can help business owners and policy makers better understand how best to plan and manage their resources during the holiday season. The key changes in recent years have been the shift to early holiday shopping, an increase in experiential gifting, and an increase in international travel during the holidays. Economics plays a major role in the holiday season, and understanding these trends can help businesses position themselves for the most success possible.