A recent news post by local business advocacy group WNC Business noted that 2025 holiday spending in North Carolina will signal growing consumer confidence.
The projections are from a study by Appalachian State University Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.
According to the findings, November and December 2025 should be the best-performing period since 2022, with spending up significantly from the last holiday season.
"Overall, total 2025 holiday sales are projected to reach $43.97 billion—an increase of $0.93 billion (2.16%) over 2024—indicating a resilient and strengthening retail environment."
About App State’s Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA)
CERPA enables decision-makers to implement policies that more effectively achieve targeted outcomes by conducting research and disseminating information on current economic and policy issues. Housed in the Walker College of Business Department of Economics, CERPA maintains the Appalachian Experimental Economics Laboratory (AppEEL) as part of the experimental economics program and encourages faculty and student research. For more information, visit cerpa.appstate.edu.
About App State’s Department of Economics
The Department of Economics at Appalachian State University is an intellectually vibrant place for students and faculty. As a research-intensive department committed to student learning, the department offers a wide range of courses that provide critical thinking and problem-solving skills, complemented by student-faculty research collaboration. Our faculty members are engaged in research that contributes locally and globally to energy, environment, development, trade, health, sports, and tourism. The Department of Economics is ranked among the leading U.S. economics departments for research productivity and is particularly strong in environmental and experimental economics. Learn more at economics.appstate.edu.
Magnifying glass and Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis overlay a holiday shopping scene
Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis Study