# Holiday shopping early helps retailers and shoppers

> Early holiday shopping boosts retailers' sales and shoppers' budgets.
- Title: Holiday shopping early helps retailers and shoppers | Shortify
- Summary: Early holiday shopping boosts retailers' sales and shoppers' budgets. Early holiday shopping helps retailers attract customers and allows cash-strapped…
- Keywords: holiday shopping, retailers, consumers, budget, gifts, early shopping, holiday sales, science, ideas, Holiday, shopping, early
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/getting-a-big-head-start-on-holiday-shopping-can-benefit-retailers-and-consumers-alike-294545
- Author: James Malm
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: holiday shopping, retailers, consumers, budget, gifts, early shopping, holiday sales, science, ideas
## Why retailers start early
Retailers begin holiday sales as early as October to attract more customers and secure sales that would otherwise go to competitors.
## Early shopping benefits
Early shoppers can manage budgets gradually and avoid last-minute stress while stretching purchases across multiple paychecks.
## Spending estimates
U.S. holiday gift spending between late 2026 and January 2027 ranges from $1 trillion to $1.7 trillion.
## Consumer preferences
29% of Americans plan to spend early, while 17% shop on Black Friday, according to Bank of America survey.
## Retailer advantages
A longer selling season eases supply chain pressure and lowers warehouse costs for retailers.
## Early shopping pitfalls
Early shoppers should check return policies as deadlines may fall before holidays, like Best Buy's policy effective in 2026.
## When early shopping makes sense
Buying items early avoids higher prices and shipping costs if they become unavailable later.
## Key takeaway

Early holiday shopping helps retailers attract customers and allows cash-strapped shoppers to spread gift costs across paychecks.