This holiday season, U.S. retailers experienced a surge in sales as consumers increased spending by 3.8% despite rising prices. According to reports from Mastercard, late holiday shopping helped boost overall sales, exceeding prior forecasts. Notably, online spending saw a significant increase of 6.7%, demonstrating a strong shift towards e-commerce as shoppers sought value deals. In-person shopping also made a comeback, with many Americans opting to purchase gifts in stores. Overall, holiday retail sales exceeded expectations, contributing to a healthy economic outlook.