Report: Retailers to watch this holiday season

Worthington, Ohio -Amazon and Nordstrom shoppers plan to increase their holiday spending the most compared to other shoppers, according to a survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The report, “Holiday 2014: Retailers to Watch,” finds that while overall holiday spending plans are up this holiday season, shoppers will still be looking for sales and big discounts and spending only what they have to, making waves for retailers to navigate this year.



Here are some quick hits from the report:



•Amazon Shoppers: Holiday spending plans up 9.9% year-over-year

The online behemoth continues to grow their customer base by courting younger, more affluent online shoppers.



•Nordstrom Shoppers: Holiday spending plans up 7.5% year-over-year

The only shopper group to place quality (76%) ahead of sales/promotions (74%) when holiday shopping.



•Walmart Shoppers: Holiday spending plans up 5.3% year-over-year

These shoppers have more confidence, are happier and in a better savings position than they were last year. Also, they perhaps are the most likely to benefit from easing gas prices.



•Costco Shoppers: Holiday spending plans up 5.2% year-over-year

This warehouse club’s shoppers tend to be a little older, but those are this year’s big spenders.



•Kohl’s Shoppers: Holiday spending plans up 3.0% year-over-year

Kohl’s draws a big Boomer crowd of shoppers who love the stores heavy discounts and promotions.



•Best Buy Shoppers: Holiday Spending plans up 1.3% year-over-year

Their biggest challenge is getting their shoppers to spend money with Best Buy this year, rather than the online competition.



•TJX: Holiday spending plans up 1.3% year-over-year

One of the most mobile-savvy shopper groups, TJX customers may shop around for that perfect, specific gift.



•Target: Holiday spending plans up 1.1% year-over-year

Perhaps attributable to last holiday’s data breach, Target shoppers have gotten younger and are more likely to pay with cash—which restricts spending.



•Macy’s Shoppers: Holiday spending plans down 1.8% year-over-year

From a demographic standpoint, Macy’s shoppers aren’t too different from Kohl’s shoppers. Although they earn about 5% more, Macy’s shoppers plan to spend 14% more on holiday than their Kohl’s counterparts. Could be a case of keeping up with the Jones’ that’s wearing budgets a little thin this year.



“Millennials are generally considered the hot consumer segment, but it’s the retailers who are heavy in Boomers and Gen X’ers that we are seeing pop this holiday season,” said Pam Goodfellow, principal analyst and consumer insights sirector for Prosper. “Combined, Boomer and Gen X shoppers are expected to account for 67% of total gift spending this holiday season, and the year-over-year holiday outlook for these shoppers has improved, while Millennial spending intentions have remained relatively flat.”