
Despite high prices, holiday sales surpassed estimates in 2022. Holiday sales rose 7.6%, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, beating its 7.1% estimates.
Moreover, with rapid digitalization, the smart retail market is expected to reach $82.68 billion in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 24.4%. Quality big box retail stocks Walmart Inc. (WMT) and Big Lots Inc. (BIG) are poised to benefit from the industry tailwinds.