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Presidential election not likely to impact holiday shopping, claims survey

October 6, 2016

While U.S. residents are focused on the upcoming presidential election, the election won't have a discernible impact on this year's retail holiday sales season.

A RetailNext voter survey reveals most consumers don't expect the election outcome to impact their spending activity. However, 23 percent of those planning to buy gifts do expect to spend less if Donald Trump is elected while, 21 percent will spend less if Hillary Clinton is elected.

"There will be slight degrees of variability in store visits and retail performance early in November due to the election," said Shelley E. Kohan, vice president of retail consulting at RetailNext, in an announcement. "But any residual angst from Election 2016 will likely be well over by Thanksgiving. As this holiday season has two additional shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, an overlapping of the beginning of Hanukkah with Christmas Eve, and a bevy of generally positive economic indicators, the retail industry should close the year relatively strong."