Just weeks before the start of the holiday season, more than 50% of American consumers revealed that holiday shopping is stressful, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte.

This situation occurs amid high economic uncertainty that has led many households to make drastic decisions regarding their budgets and reduce discretionary spending, including during the holiday season when larger purchases are typically made.

The survey report was developed jointly by Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture, who noted that exposure to holiday shopping tends to cause frustration and indecision; However, in recent years this situation has worsened due to a significant factor: lack of money. The inability to afford discretionary spending has prevented many people from feeling comfortable making their usual purchases, driving stress to record levels. In this regard, Dr. Hannah Nearney, clinical psychiatrist and medical director of Flow Neuroscience in the UK, commented that people not only feel overwhelmed by shopping but also suffer significant mental strain due to constant decision-making. She added, “Economic uncertainty keeps the brain and nervous system in a constant state of anxiety and alertness. This makes it difficult for people to manage their holiday shopping and planning. Therefore, we cannot fully enjoy the holidays.” The survey results also reveal that 57% of consumers anticipate that the weakening economy will continue next year, leading them to be more cautious with their spending.