ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data Corporation, the global leader in payments processing and electronic commerce solutions, today released its First Data SpendTrend® analysis for Oct. 31, 2013 through Dec. 2, 2013 compared to Nov. 1 through Dec. 3, 2012. SpendTrend tracks same-store point-of-sale data by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.
November dollar volume growth of 4.4% marked a downtick from October’s growth of 6.8%. Although the cold and dry weather at the end of the month offered perfect holiday shopping weather, several portions of the country earlier in the month dealt with blasts of snow hindering shopper foot traffic. Transaction growth slipped in November to 4.8% compared to last month’s growth of 6.2%. Still, overall spending growth remained positive on a year-over-year basis, as it has throughout 2013, and was supported by stronger spending at Travel and Hotel merchants, which saw robust growth at 9.0% and 6.4% as more consumers travelled for Thanksgiving.
Retail growth cooled in November in spite of strong spending growth during Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Spending growth was strong at 9.0% on Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday. There were fewer holiday shopping days this November after Thanksgiving versus last year, the impact of which was felt across most merchant categories.
Overall retail spending growth in November was 1.3% and was a significant step down from October’s 5.6% spending growth. Shoppers pulled back on retail spending for most of the month in anticipation of holiday deals at the end of November. Building Material & Supply Dealers and Furniture and Home Furnishings merchants continued to see robust growth at 7.2% and 7.0% as consumers sustained their focus on home-improvement projects.
Average ticket growth was -0.3% in November versus October’s growth 0.5%. The underperformance of Gas Station average tickets at -4.2% continued to offset the overall growth. Average ticket growth at Gas Stations has remained in the negative territory for the past four-consecutive months. The slower growth was also attributable to price discounting by retailers. Retail average ticket growth was 0.6% compared to 1.8% last month.
“Although spending growth increased on a year-over-year basis, the growth slowed on a sequential basis as consumers were more modest in their purchases throughout the month as they prepared for the holiday shopping season,” said Krish Mantripragada, SVP, Information and Analytics Solutions, First Data. “We definitely see that consumers are more confident and have enjoyed stronger income growth in 2013 compared to 2012. This should encourage shoppers to open up their wallets as the holiday season progresses.”
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November Dollar Volume Growth |
CHANGE |
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| Credit | +4.9% | |||
| Signature Debit | +2.8% | |||
| PIN Debit | +6.4% | |||
| Check | –4.9% | |||
| Prepaid | +8.9% | |||
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Note: All transactions are same-store growth. |
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To view infographics showing November SpendTrend data, visit: http://www.firstdata.com/spendtrend/spendtrend-data-201311.png.
For more information on First Data SpendTrend, visit www.spendtrend.com or call SpendTrend Customer Care at 800-430-0169.
To participate in the SpendTrend conversation, please follow First Data at http://twitter.com/spendtrend.
Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive client revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction. More information about the company is available on FirstData.com as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
First Data SpendTrend, a macro-economic indicator, is based on aggregate same-store sales activity in the First Data Point of Sale Network. First Data SpendTrend does not represent First Data’s financial performance.
