The retail landscape closed out Q4 2025 with solid momentum despite economic uncertainty, as consumers remained engaged heading into the holidays. Our findings reveal a consumer who never checked out but became increasingly selective, keeping overall retail growth positive even as spending shifted toward essentials and lifestyle-driven discretionary purchases. The 2025 Q4 Trend Report and Year in Review unpacks key insights using exclusive CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor data powered by Affinity Solutions.
