It’s that time of the year and shopping takes center stage across the world. But different regions approach holiday spending differently.
From global Black Friday madness to the Great Indian Festival Sale, and White Wednesday in the Middle East, every region has its own unique traditions.
Holiday spending: Trends in 2025
Holiday spending is a global phenomenon. A recent infographic by Visual Capitalist gives us a glimpse into these trends.
It also shows just how global the holiday shopping frenzy has become…
US and UK: Black Friday
Black Friday is undoubtedly one of the most popular shopping days in the world, followed by Cyber Monday.
In fact, 2024 was a record-breaking year in terms of sales, both online and off. Online sales this year reached a staggering $10.8 billion – a 10.2% increase from the previous year.
Meanwhile, in 2020, the Christmas and New Year’s spending spree accounted for $1 trillion in spending across the US and UK.
India: Festivals of Deals
India’s retail scene is just as vibrant and booming.
Amazon’s Great Indian Festive sale generally captures around 60% of the country’s online sales market. This day is usually a big hit and sparks fierce competition from rival brands.
Ther’s also Flipkart’s Big Billion Day. The shopping holiday lasts six days, and deals range from consumer electronics to beauty and fashion products.
Notably in 2019, Flipkart reported double the sales as compared to 2018.
South Pacific: Singles Day
And East and Southeast Asia, consumers eagerly await Singles’ Day – another one of the biggest shopping events, globally.
The day originated in China in the 1990s. The premise of the day was for single people to spoil themselves with a retail therapy.
It’s held on 11 November, since the number one resembles a single person (technially, a “bare stick,” which is also Chinese slang for single men).
Meanwhile, consumers in Indonesia partake in Harbolnas, which is a day dedicated to online shopping. This year, the event kicked off on 5 December, marking the festival’s 13th year.
Middle East: White Wednesday
The Middle East is seeing the winds of change sweep across its retail landscape. White Wednesday (the region’s answer to Black Friday) has become a landmark event.
Sales include everything from clothing, shoes and beauty products, to home goods, electronics and everything in between.
With e-commerce in the Middle East expected to reach $28.5 billion, brands are rushing to capitalize on this shift.
What global shopping means for retailers
Holiday spending is no longer a local affair. It’s a global phenomenon.
Each region adds its own cultural flavour to the shopping season, but the message is clear: consumers everywhere are ready to spend when the deals are right.
As retailers plan for 2025, understanding these regional trends can help them tap into the excitement and maximise their impact.
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About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
