ARTICLE
Retail businesses are feeling optimistic about this holiday season. According to a South Dakota Retailers Association survey, 93% report that shopping is meeting or exceeding expectations in the fourth quarter of 2025. “Across the board, we’re hearing that consumers are spending, but they’re being intentional with their purchases,” said Nathan Sanderson, Retailers Assoc. Executive Director. “Shoppers want products that work for them, their space and their lifestyle.” Business owners say that whether holiday shoppers are looking for toys or home goods, they’re seeking high-quality, functional products. “Our customers conservatively trend forward,” said Jaclyn Haun, owner of Blevior, a flower and gift shop in Miller. “They want products that are going to last several years and also not look outdated by next Christmas.” That trend is holding true in the holiday toy sector as well. “People are looking for quality toys with more than one use,” explained Somer Kingsbury, owner of Who’s Toys in Rapid City. “Shoppers are looking for items that grow with a child, like a shape sorter that also functions as a walker.” Nancy Savage, owner of Child’s Play Toys in Sioux Falls, reports much of the same. “Maileg wooden houses and miniatures have really taken off. There’s nothing on them that’s plastic; they’re very high quality. And we have seen the adults enjoy setting them up and reorganizing them as much as the kids.” Consumers appear to be hitting stores earlier than usual this year. “People started their holiday shopping a couple of weeks ago, in early November,” reported Todd Koenecke with Capital City Florist in Pierre. Despite the early start, Kingsbury expects a few items will be in demand right up to Christmas morning, including the limited quantity plush collectibles by Jellycat. “Shoppers enjoy the thrill of the Jellycat hunt,” she said. “There’s a ‘look what I found’ factor when giving them.” Sanderson notes that local businesses offer items for shoppers who are deliberate and selective in their holiday spending. “Even with tariffs, the government shutdown, and inflationary price adjustments, consumers continue to shop,” he said. “Main Street businesses with high quality, unique items that will last for years should do well this holiday season.”
Retail businesses are feeling optimistic about this holiday season. According to a South Dakota Retailers Association survey, 93% report that shopping is meeting or exceeding expectations in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Across the board, we’re hearing that consumers are spending, but they’re being intentional with their purchases,” said Nathan Sanderson, Retailers Assoc. Executive Director. “Shoppers want products that work for them, their space and their lifestyle.”
Business owners say that whether holiday shoppers are looking for toys or home goods, they’re seeking high-quality, functional products.
“Our customers conservatively trend forward,” said Jaclyn Haun, owner of Blevior, a flower and gift shop in Miller. “They want products that are going to last several years and also not look outdated by next Christmas.”
That trend is holding true in the holiday toy sector as well.
“People are looking for quality toys with more than one use,” explained Somer Kingsbury, owner of Who’s Toys in Rapid City. “Shoppers are looking for items that grow with a child, like a shape sorter that also functions as a walker.”
Nancy Savage, owner of Child’s Play Toys in Sioux Falls, reports much of the same.
“Maileg wooden houses and miniatures have really taken off. There’s nothing on them that’s plastic; they’re very high quality. And we have seen the adults enjoy setting them up and reorganizing them as much as the kids.”
Consumers appear to be hitting stores earlier than usual this year. “People started their holiday shopping a couple of weeks ago, in early November,” reported Todd Koenecke with Capital City Florist in Pierre.
Despite the early start, Kingsbury expects a few items will be in demand right up to Christmas morning, including the limited quantity plush collectibles by Jellycat.
“Shoppers enjoy the thrill of the Jellycat hunt,” she said. “There’s a ‘look what I found’ factor when giving them.”
Sanderson notes that local businesses offer items for shoppers who are deliberate and selective in their holiday spending.
“Even with tariffs, the government shutdown, and inflationary price adjustments, consumers continue to shop,” he said. “Main Street businesses with high quality, unique items that will last for years should do well this holiday season.”