Holiday spending 2025: Why security, flexibility, and experiences are the new must-haves
Discover why holiday shoppers in 2025 demand secure payments, flexible options, and experience-driven gifting. Explore key trends shaping retail success.
The holiday season is evolving, and 2025 spending trends are showing a clear pivot away from the traditional model. It's no longer just about buying "stuff", it’s about smarter, safer, and more memorable ways to spend.
This profound shift, prioritizing memories over material goods, is placing immense strain on traditional retail models. Organizations are finding their existing payment infrastructure unable to adapt quickly enough. Conversion is consistently blocked by two main factors: shoppers exit over financial data security fears, and nearly half abandon a purchase if their preferred, flexible payment option is unavailable.
With that in mind, our recent Inside the Wallet: Holiday Edition report covers all the trends on how shoppers worldwide are preparing for the holiday season, from travel and gifting to payments and digital entertainment!
Key takeaways from the report:
- 84% of prospective bettors on the event would prefer instant payouts, and 88% would switch brands after a poor payment experience, as speed and reliability are critical for conversion.
- Regional payment preferences matter in iGaming: cards dominate in North America, while local methods like Pix (Brazil) and PagoEfectivo (Peru) lead in Latin America.
- 44% of consumers abandon purchases or bets when their preferred payment option isn’t available, highlighting the importance of flexibility.
- First-time participation is increasing: 19% plan to place their first-ever online bet on the World Cup, rising to 29% in the U.S. and 26% in Mexico, indicating broader adoption of digital payments among newcomers.
- Match-day momentum drives conversions: 64% place wagers on the day of the game or during play, making real-time approvals and instant payouts crucial for capturing demand.
- Travel increases payment complexity: while 70% use credit cards when traveling, many seek alternatives, with 31% preferring digital wallets, 25% choosing local methods, and 22% using eCash.
- Digital engagement is increasing: 58% plan to play soccer-themed video games during major events, and 56% expect to spend more on in-game content, emphasizing the need for secure, easy-to-use payment options for digital experiences.
Looking ahead
The market is demanding change. Leading businesses are transforming their checkout experience into a strategic conversion engine, moving toward a customer-centric approach that aligns payment choice with consumer trust.
The key to this shift lies in three priorities:
- Delivering experiential gifts (travel, dining, entertainment).
- Ensuring robust payment security to alleviate consumer fears.
- Utilizing digital wallets and flexible options to meet demands for choice.
Our report explores all of this, offering valuable and actionable insights for your company ahead of the holiday season!
By strategically embracing these priorities, companies can effectively capture the surging demand for experiences and secure a significant competitive advantage in the future of retail.
