Visa reports Canada holiday spending rises 4.4%

Visa (V), a global leader in digital payments released its annual Retail Spend Monitor from Visa Consulting & Analytics, offering a comprehensive view of Canada’s holiday retail activity. Preliminary data shows that overall holiday retail spending increased 4.4% year over year across all payment types, including cash and cheque. “Retailers delivered seamless shopping experiences both in stores and online, and consumers responded with enthusiasm,” said Wayne Best, Chief Economist at Visa. “This season also marked a turning point, with artificial intelligence beginning to shape how people discover products, compare prices, and interact with offers. This led to a more informed, more intentional consumer, ensuring they could stretch their discretionary spending.”