We Read Shopify’s 2025 Holiday Report and Here’s What Stood Out to Us

Shopify’s 2025 Global Holiday Retail Report offers a detailed look at how shoppers are spending, searching, and staying loyal. Instead of vague predictions, it gives real data that can guide how brands prepare for the season ahead.

We broke down each chapter, pulled the most important stats, and added clear, actionable steps with app or settings recommendations to help businesses actually execute.

Chapter 1: Disciplined Demand

Planned global spend for BFCM 2025 is $192, up from $155 in 2024

Solution: Re-engage past customers and prepare for increased traffic by optimizing your site performance and visibility. Use PageFly for landing pages, Klaviyo for segmented email reactivation.

51% of shoppers are setting a clear spending cap

Solution: Create curated gift guides and “under $50” or “budget-friendly” product collections to meet buyers where they are with Search & Discovery by Shopify.

23% of shoppers plan to be stricter with budgets than last year

Solution: Use transparent pricing and avoid inflated discounts. Show savings clearly in the product display with Shopify Bundles.

26% of shoppers started holiday shopping before the end of September and only 13% of businesses launched promos before October

Solution: Plan early marketing campaigns and launch pre-holiday teaser promotions in September. Use early access to build exclusivity.Klaviyo for early automation campaigns.

The average holiday promo window is just 11 days

Solution: Extend your sale period to reduce fulfillment strain and capture shoppers before and after peak using Shopify Flow for scheduling promos and Klaviyo for personalized offers post-sale.

Chapter 2: Is AI The Next Platform Shift?

64% of shoppers will use AI for at least one shopping task this season

Solution: Add AI-powered search and recommendations to help customers find what they need faster using Shopify Magic.

84% of Gen Z shoppers plan to use AI during their holiday shopping

Solution: Create product content that AI tools can read and recommend by writing keyword-rich, human-friendly descriptions that tell a story and describe the product.Shopify Magic plus a good human editor for on-page descriptions.

29% of shoppers use AI to find deals and 20% use it for product discovery

Solution: Make your products AI-discoverable through structured data and consistent product naming using apps like Schema Plus for SEO, Smart SEO by Sherpas.

73% of shoppers still value human interaction when making purchases

Solution: Keep live chat or real support visible for reassurance during checkout using Shopify Inbox, or a live chat app.

Chapter 3: Unified Commerce

40% of shoppers are more likely to discover products through online browsing than last year

Solution: Optimize your store’s SEO, search, navigation, and landing pages for seamless browsing using a website builder like AI Store Generator.

43% are more likely to discover products in-store than last year

Solution: Connect in-store data with your online storefront so pricing and stock stay consistent with Shopify POS.

24% more likely to discover products through social media ads and 23% discover products through influencer promotions

Solution: Invest in social campaigns that drive to specific products or collections rather than generic pages.Facebook & Instagram by Meta, TikTok ads for social. Shopify Collabs to reach influencers.

37% of shoppers plan to split purchases evenly between online and offline, but 44% prefer to buy small items online and large items in store

Solution: Ensure accurate inventory visibility and easy fulfillment between both environments. Sync up using Shopify POS Pro and put larger items on your website this year. Use the shipping options to mark them as available for in-store pick up and now you’re playing the game. Shopify Local Delivery can also help make things run smoother.