With omnichannel promotions forecast to be offered earlier than usual, the 2021 U.S. Holiday Season will likely be shaped by higher prices for key products, early shopping by consumers and broader digital experiences, according to Mastercard Spending Pulse.

The Purchase, NY-based firm, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types including cash and checks, is forecasting overall U.S. holiday retail sales to increase 7.4 percent (excluding automotive and gas) with year-over-year online sales up 7.6 percent and in-store sales expected to increase 6.6 percent. Contactless purchases and Buy Online, Pick-Up In Store (BOPIS) will continue to be embraced by consumers. In a dealaid.org survey, nearly 36 percent of respondents said they intended to utilize BOPIS this holiday season.

Dealaid’s estimates for holiday spending aren’t high as Mastercard Spending Pulse, up 4.7 percent from 2020 with an average seasonal spend pegged at $974 per consumer. The Toronto company’s survey also finds that nearly 14 percent of consumers intend to use a “Buy Now, Pay Later” service to finance their holiday purchases this year.

So, what are the biggest concerns of the U.S. consumer heading into Q4? They are led by prices (51%), COVID-19 concerns and in-stock availability (each 45.3%), shipping times (40.6%) and availability of personal funds for shopping (30.3%).

According to a consumer survey by Sitecore, most shoppers will make ‘buying local and being mindful’ a priority this holiday season. Some 36 percent told the San Francisco company that they would like to emerge from the pandemic with a new wardrobe, a fact that should provide opportunity for apparel firms. Overall, 58 percent of Gen Z’ers intend to spend more during the holiday season this year while most Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers anticipate spending about the same as they did in 2020.