Baker Retail Rundown

Holiday Debt Hits $1,223 as Tariffs Push 45% of Americans to Cut Back on Gifts 

More than a third of U.S. consumers (37%) took on holiday debt this season, averaging $1,223—the highest level since 2022—according to a LendingTree survey, with parents of young children hit especially hard. Many borrowers are still paying off last year’s holiday bills, and most report stress and regret, as high interest rates make balances harder to manage. Rising prices and tariffs also dampened holiday cheer, prompting nearly half of Americans to give fewer gifts and many to rely on buy now, pay later options. Despite the strain, nearly half of those who went into debt expected to do so, most often using credit cards, and many anticipate it will take three months or longer to pay off what they spent.

Shoppers Face New Return Fees as Retailers Crack Down on Holiday Exchanges 

Retailers are increasingly charging return fees this holiday season as they try to reduce the high costs of processing returns, which total an estimated $850 billion annually. Many major stores now charge between $4 and $12 for mail-in returns, while some items, such as electronics at Best Buy, can cost up to $45 to send back. About 20% of online purchases are returned, prompting companies like Amazon, Macy’s, and Zara to tighten their policies. Industry experts say retailers are shifting some of the financial burden to shoppers, though most stores still offer free in-store returns. Shoppers are advised to check return policies carefully before making purchases.

Revisiting Big C-Store Supply Chain Moves of 2025 

Supply chain management remained a major focus for convenience stores this year as retailers sought consistency, efficiency and cost control across their footprints. Several large chains, including Wawa, Love’s and Couche-Tard, expanded or signed new distribution partnerships with major suppliers like McLane and Core-Mark to support growth and streamline logistics. At the same time, retailers such as RaceTrac, Kwik Trip and Sheetz invested in new or expanded distribution centers to gain greater control over supply and meet rising demand. Not all developments were expansions, however, as Casey’s closed JF Heritage Food, the distribution arm it acquired with Fikes Wholesale, marking a notable exit in the supply chain space.

‘The Next Protein’: Fiber Is Shaping Up to Be the Latest Grocery Obsession 

Fiber is emerging as a major food trend in 2025, gaining attention for its benefits to gut health and digestive wellness, especially among younger consumers on social media practicing “fibermaxxing.” Many Americans still fall short of daily fiber recommendations, which has driven interest in high-fiber foods, with 22% of U.S. consumers now prioritizing fiber when shopping, up from 17% in 2021. Food and beverage companies, including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and startups like Olipop, are responding with fiber-rich products such as snacks, drinks, and prebiotic beverages. The trend reflects a broader shift toward natural, whole-food ingredients over supplements, and consumers are seeing tangible health benefits, making fiber more than just a passing craze.