This week marks the typical beginning of the holiday gift giving season. Despite some economic uncertainty, some in South Dakota’s retail sector are optimistic.
The optimism stems from an early start to the holiday shopping season and consumer behaviors that indicate good things for small businesses.
Nathan Sanderson is the Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. He thinks consumers are going back to a trend the industry saw before the pandemic.
"An appreciation for high-quality, durable items. Things that are functional, but that maybe will have some staying power. I mean think of things like stainless steel cookware, or something like that. They’re maybe not looking for a Teflon pan like they had in the past. They’re looking for a stainless steel that they know is going to last them for the next decade plus,” Sanderson said. “I also think that people are heading back to the trend of looking for things that are highly unique. You know, they’re going to the boutique on Main Street that literally only has one of these kinds of items and nobody else in town has it.”
He said he’s heard from small, local retailers who’ve said that trend is continuing. That’s something he calls a benefit for mom-and-pop shops because they are able to offer more unique gifts and items.
Sanderson said some of the ongoing economic question marks are impacting consumer behaviors.
“I think that a lot of consumers started shopping a bit earlier this year. There’s been no question that there’s been some, you know, economic uncertainty out there whether that’s from tariffs, or the government shutdown, or inflation or those kinds of things,” Sanderson said. “And I think as a result of that people are being a bit more planful this holiday season.”
Sanderson added that consumers are shopping right now which is positive for retailers.
“And so definitely consumers are shifting what they’re looking for a little bit,” Sanderson said. “But thus far, things to be going pretty well for the 2025 holiday shopping season.”
He said the early start is good, because the holiday season doesn’t traditionally begin for retailers until Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
