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Experts say waiting until November for the biggest deals could mean fewer choices, higher prices, and more sold-out gifts

• Holiday shopping may start much earlier this year: Experts say leaner inventories could make waiting until Black Friday a gamble for shoppers hoping to snag the hottest gifts.

• Fewer products could mean fewer deals: With U.S. consumer goods imports down more than 30% from last year, retailers may have less inventory, leading to fewer markdowns and more full-price purchases.

• Popular gifts could sell out faster: Toys, electronics, clothing, footwear, and sporting goods are among the categories most likely to see limited selection as the holiday season approaches.

Black Friday has long been the unofficial kickoff to holiday shopping, but this year, consumers may want to rethink that strategy.

With fewer consumer goods arriving in the U.S. and retailers potentially carrying leaner inventories into the holiday season, experts say shoppers who wait until late November could find themselves facing limited selection, fewer discounts, and higher prices. That's one reason "Christmas in July" sales are getting more attention, as retailers encourage consumers to start checking gifts off their lists months earlier than usual.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with John Mercer, Head of Global Research and Managing Director of Retail Research, to learn more about CoreSights 2026 Holiday Retail Outlook: Midyear Update and what the findings mean for shoppers.

How the report was conducted and what it found

The report combines Coresight Research's proprietary machine-learning forecasting model with retail sales data, import data, inventory trends, inflation metrics, and weekly surveys of roughly 400 U.S. consumers ages 18 and older. Researchers also analyzed company earnings reports and government data to project how the 2026 holiday shopping season is likely to unfold.

The analysis suggests retailers could head into the holidays with leaner inventories, after U.S. consumer goods imports fell 30.2% compared with last year.

At the same time, Coresight projects fourth-quarter retail sales will grow 4.4%, and consumer confidence around holiday spending has rebounded since the spring. Together, those trends could mean shoppers encounter fewer discounts, more full-price purchases, and a greater incentive to start buying gifts well before Black Friday.

What can shoppers expect this holiday season?

According to Mercer, the clearest impact will likely be fewer units available in certain categories, tighter assortments, and less room for retailers to replenish popular products once they begin selling through.

The report notes that import declines arent only against last years tariff driven pull forward, but also against levels from two and three years ago, suggesting an inventory squeeze, he said. Shoppers may notice fewer colors, sizes, or models available, less backup stock, and more items selling out without being quickly replenished.

What categories are most affected?

According to Mercer, there are a few retail categories shoppers should be aware of that could face tighter inventories by the holidays.

The categories at greatest risk are clothing, footwear, toys, games, electronics, and sporting goods, he said. Imports have declined across apparel and footwear, toys and bicycles, cellphones and household electronics, and home-entertainment equipment.

Trend driven toys may sell out quickly because demand often concentrates around a small number of must-have items, while apparel and footwear could lose availability by size or color before an entire style disappears.

Shopping earlier is becoming more popular

Mercer explained that the trend of shopping earlier is being driven by concerns about product scarcity, continued inflation pressure, and a holiday retail calendar that increasingly begins with major October sales events rather than Black Friday.

When shoppers believe a specific product, size, or color might not be available, theyre more likely to purchase it as soon as they see it, he said. That creates a trade-off for bargain hunters, buying early improves the chances of securing the exact gift they want, but waiting for a bigger discount becomes riskier. If lean inventory sells through at full price, retailers may have fewer leftover products requiring aggressive markdowns in late November or December.

What couples need to know about financial responsibility, debt division, and protecting their assets

• Open conversations about money before and during marriage can help couples avoid financial surprises and protect their future.

• Understanding the difference between marital and separate debt is key to knowing who may be responsible for repayment.

• Prenuptial agreements, financial transparency, and shared goals can help couples better prepare for potential financial challenges.

Marriage often means building a life together including sharing financial goals, expenses, and responsibilities. But when debt enters the picture, the idea that whats yours is mine and whats mine is yours can become more complicated.

Whether one partner enters a marriage with existing debt, a couple takes on new financial obligations together, or a divorce changes who is responsible for repayment, understanding how debt is handled can help protect your financial future.

While no one expects a marriage to end in divorce, planning ahead and having open conversations about money can make a major difference. Kelly Frawley, partner in the matrimonial and family law practice at Sterlington PLLC, explains what consumers should know about marital versus separate debt, how debt may be divided during divorce, and the steps couples can take to protect their financial standing before and after marriage.

Protecting your finances

No matter what stage youre in with your partner, protecting your finances should always be top of mind.

During a marriage and divorce, spouses should be transparent and forthcoming with information about their finances, Frawley said. The steps to protect your assets should start as early as reasonably possible before the marriage and no later than early in the marriage.

Frawley shared some of her best tips for having open, transparent conversations about finances with your partner:

• Start these conversations before marriage. This includes candid discussions with your partner about their then-current savings, debts, and expenses, as well as intentions about savings and a day-to-day budget.

• Share credit scores. A partys assets and budget might not reflect their complete financial circumstances.

• Consider reviewing your cash flow at least once a year. This could be at the time you gather tax documents to prepare tax returns, or at another time you decide on, to ensure you and your spouse are on the same page about spending, savings, and debt.

Marital vs. separate debt

If your soon-to-be spouse has excessive debt, Frawley recommends tackling the issue as an economic partnership.

A plan to pay down the debt should be discussed, which should include what source of funds will be used to pay it down, she said. One needs to consider that his or her money applied to pay the other partys debt is not likely to be recouped in a divorce, and they should not expect a credit in the event of a divorce.

Also, I suggest you understand the reasons your partner incurred the debt to preempt additional debt being incurred during the marriage.

When it comes to marital versus separate debt, Frawley recommends checking with your specific states guidelines.

Typically marital debt will be a joint responsibility and the parties marital net worth will be marital assets less marital debts, she said. Separate debt might be debt a party incurred prior to the marriage or in connection with his or her separate property.

How can a prenuptial agreement help?

Frawley explained that a prenup agreement can effectively help protect an individual from accruing debt during the marriage.

It is common practice to address the distribution of liabilities in the event of a divorce [in a prenup], she said. Two common approaches include a provision that a party will be responsible for debt associated with their separate property and debt incurred by them before the marriage (e.g., student loans).

Money tips before marriage

Before things become legally binding, Frawley has some money tips to help couples navigate tough conversations.

Discuss goals for savings and retirement, as well as your expected lifestyle, she said. For example, does one partner desire to vacation several times a year, while the other one wants to save for retirement or invest in a secondary home? Ensuring alignment is key; at a minimum, one should understand their partners expectations.

Many Americans say they haven't felt much financial relief in their everyday budgets

• A new MarketWise survey found that 80% of consumers say meaningful inflation relief still feels out of reach, despite improving economic headlines.

• Many households say high energy costs continue to strain their budgets, forcing them to cut back on discretionary spending and make everyday tradeoffs.

• An economic expert says consumers can manage ongoing financial pressure by prioritizing essential expenses, reducing discretionary spending, and avoiding unnecessary debt when possible.

Inflation may not be making headlines the way it did a few years ago, but many consumers say they are still waiting for everyday costs to come down. Many households continue to feel pressure every time they fill up their gas tank, buy groceries, or pay monthly bills.

A new survey from MarketWise suggests that, for many Americans, positive economic news hasn't yet translated into meaningful financial relief. The findings highlight the gap between improving market conditions and what consumers are actually experiencing in their day-to-day budgets.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with James Royal, Senior SEO Writer, MarketWise, to learn more about the findings.

A look at the survey

MarketWise's Peace Rally Mood Index surveyed 1,006 U.S. retail investors to better understand how recent economic developments are influencing financial confidence and household spending expectations.

The results show that most respondents remain cautious:

• 80% percent said meaningful inflation relief still feels too far away

• More than half (56%) said they care more about lower energy costs than headlines about ceasefires or geopolitical developments.

• Nearly half (46%) believe falling oil prices could eventually help ease inflation, but many are taking a wait-and-see approach.

• 42% said easing global tensions may help household budgets, though they are not counting on it.

• 21% don't expect any of the potential savings to reach everyday consumers at all.

Markets react to expectations, and households react to bills, Royal explained. A calmer market or lower inflation rate may seem encouraging, but families are still paying elevated prices for groceries, insurance, housing, utilities, and debt. Until those recurring costs decline or wages outpace them, most consumers will not experience economic improvement as relief.

Consumers are making tradeoffs

One of the biggest priorities for over half of the survey respondents was lower energy costs. In current conditions, the cost of energy is changing how consumers go about their day-to-day lives.

High energy costs are forcing consumers to make small trade-offs throughout the day, Royal said. People are combining errands, driving less, adjusting thermostats, and delaying vehicle maintenance.

Consumers are cutting back on takeout, entertainment, and nonessential shopping to cover fuel and utility bills. Rising energy prices are especially painful because theyre difficult to avoid, so households often have to reduce spending elsewhere rather than eliminate this expense itself.

Coping with daily expenses

With almost half of respondents not feeling confident that easing tensions will help their budgets, Royal shared some tips to help consumers cope with daily expenses.

Households under the most pressure are relying on a series of short-term adjustments, like switching to cheaper brands, postponing repairs or medical care, stretching replacement cycles, reducing savings contributions, and using credit cards or installment plans for routine purchases, he said.

Many consumers are also spreading seasonal expenses across multiple paychecks and cutting discretionary spending first. These moves may keep the monthly budget afloat, but they can leave families with less savings and more debt over time."

Electricity costs are rising the fastest

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. households with utility bills pay a median of $363 a month, or $4,361 a year, according to a new doxo report.

• The typical annual utility bill increased 4.63% from last year, with electricity costs rising the most 6.46%.

• Maryland is the most expensive state for combined utilities, while New York has the highest costs among the large cities studied.

American households are spending a median of $4,361 a year on essential utilities as electricity, natural gas, and other household services become more expensive, according to a new report from bill-payment company doxo.

The companys 2026 U.S. Utilities Market Size and Household Spending Report found that households with utility bills pay a median of $363 per month. That is a 4.63% increase from last year and represents approximately 5% of annual household income.

Combined, Americans spend an estimated $582 billion annually on electricity, natural gas, water and sewer service, and waste and recycling collection.

The findings are based on a statistical analysis of payments made by more than 10 million consumers across more than 97% of U.S. ZIP codes. Doxo analyzed actual payments to confirmed service providers rather than relying exclusively on consumer estimates.

Electricity bills posted the largest increase

Electricity was the largest of the four utility categories, accounting for an estimated $234 billion in annual household spending.

About 90% of U.S. households pay an electricity bill directly. Among those households, the median bill is $128 per month, or $1,533 annually a 6.46% increase from the previous year.

Doxo attributed the increase partly to rising electricity demand, modernization of the power grid, and changes in fuel markets. Artificial intelligence data centers and other energy-intensive technologies have also raised concerns about future pressure on the nations electricity system.

Natural gas costs increased by 5.63%, reaching a median of $75 per month, or $900 per year. About 67% of households pay a gas bill, producing a total market of approximately $128 billion annually.

Water and sewer bills increased 2.8% to a median of $89 per month, or $1,065 annually. About 72% of households pay those bills directly.

Waste and recycling costs increased 2.74%, reaching a median of $72 per month, or $863 annually. Just over half of U.S. households pay those charges directly.

The individual category totals should not simply be added together to estimate every familys expenses. Not all households pay every utility directly; some services may be included in rent, association fees, or municipal taxes.

Maryland has the highest utility costs

The report ranked Maryland as the most expensive state, with a combined median utility cost of $625 per month. The states median water and sewer bill alone was $245 a month, significantly higher than in most other states on the list.

Connecticut ranked second at $510 per month, followed closely by Massachusetts at $509.

The 10 states with the highest combined monthly utility costs were:

1. Maryland $625

2. Connecticut $510

3. Massachusetts $509

4. Vermont $488

5. Alaska $481

6. Wisconsin $480

7. Hawaii $473

8. Washington $473

9. New Jersey $464

10. Rhode Island $451

Hawaii had the highest median electricity bill among the 10 most expensive states, at $200 per month. Alaska had the highest gas bill, at $150, while Maryland had the highest waste and recycling and water and sewer costs.

New York tops the large-city rankings

Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, New York was the most expensive, with combined median utility bills of $805 per month. Doxo reported a particularly high median waste and recycling cost of $392.

San Jose ranked second at $602 per month, followed by Milwaukee at $579, and Cincinnati at $567. Cincinnati had the highest median natural gas cost among the cities listed, at $289 a month.

Other cities in the top 10 were Memphis, Baltimore, Dallas, Seattle, Rochester, and Detroit.

American families are navigating a perfect storm of rising utility costs, doxo co-founder and CEO Steve Shivers said. He pointed to infrastructure changes and increasing energy demand as factors causing more costs to be passed on to consumers.

Because utility rates vary sharply by location, housing type, and service provider, consumers may have limited opportunities to shop for lower prices. However, households can reduce costs by reviewing bills for errors, checking eligibility for energy-assistance or budget-billing programs, improving home efficiency, and asking local providers about free energy audits or conservation rebates.