Small business owners can breathe a sigh of relief as Visa’s latest forecast predicts a 4.5% increase in U.S. holiday retail sales this season, signaling a robust opportunity for growth. According to Visa Business and Economic Insights (VBEI), this forecast marks the most substantial sales growth since 2021, and the insights provided could help local retailers strategize effectively in a competitive landscape plagued by rising prices.

The solid surge in consumer spending is bolstered by increasing household income and wealth, even as inflation nibbles away at discretionary budgets.…