Holiday shopping report shows Visa payment volumes grew 4.2% during the first seven weeks of the season, but growth momentum is noticeably weaker compared to the same period last year. This deceleration in retail spending could signal shifting consumer behavior and tighter discretionary budgets. Such slowdowns in traditional consumption often correlate with changes in investment flows—when mainstream retail spending cools, capital allocation patterns tend to shift, potentially affecting how investors view alternative assets. The data suggests economic headwinds may be impacting household purchasing power, which typically influences risk appetite across financial markets.