What: The 2025 holiday retail season is defined by a resurgence of brick-and-mortar stores and shopping centres, with experiential retail drawing younger shoppers and hybrid shopping patterns driving growth.

Why it is important: The revival of shopping centres demonstrates that retailers must balance digital and in-person experiences to remain competitive in a changing market.

The 2025 holiday shopping season is set against a backdrop of renewed strength for brick-and-mortar retail, with shopping centres and physical stores regaining ground after years of digital dominance. Premium malls are attracting younger consumers by focusing on experiential retail, turning shopping trips into social and participatory events. This resurgence is supported by recent figures showing record highs in both in-store visits and online sales during the previous holiday season, highlighting the success of hybrid shopping patterns. The narrative of a retail apocalypse has been firmly challenged, as consumers continue to value the tangible and social aspects of physical shopping. Retailers are responding by investing in innovative strategies that blend entertainment, technology, and community, ensuring that physical retail remains relevant alongside digital channels. The evolving landscape underscores the importance of balancing digital innovation with the unique advantages of in-person experiences, as retailers adapt to shifting consumer expectations and market conditions.

IADS Notes: The 2025 holiday retail season’s revival of brick-and-mortar and shopping centres is supported by recent industry data. Premium malls are thriving by attracting younger shoppers through experiential retail, while hybrid shopping patterns and record in-store visits have disproved the retail apocalypse narrative. Retailers are investing in participatory environments and innovative strategies that blend entertainment, technology, and community, confirming the ongoing importance of physical retail alongside digital channels.

How retailers can de-risk the 2025 holiday shopping season