Despite the pandemic and supply chain issues, holiday spending this year has the potential to shatter previous records.

The national retail federation is forecasting that holiday sales will increase between 8.5% to 10.5%, for a total of up to $859 billion.

While everyone wants to find the perfect gift for friends and family, consumers should remember to be smart when shopping to avoid falling victim to holiday scams.

Natalie Kelly, VISA executive and safe shopping expert, joined us today with some tips to help keep your holidays happy.

For more information visit, visa.com/safeholidayshopping.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY VISA.

The pandemic has impacted all small businesses, but those run by women and people of color have been disproportionately affected.

According to VISA’s black women-owned business report, nearly three quarters of black women-owned businesses estimate they can’t survive another year under current pandemic conditions.

Adama Iwu, VISA vice-president of government sales joined us today to share important information around a new hyper-local program that VISA just announced. It’s mission is to accelerate financial and educational support for underrepresented communities and women-owned small businesses.

Iwu was also named one of time magazine’s silence breakers which celebrated how women everywhere are using their influence to enact positive change.

For More Information, visit visa.com/shesnext.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY VISA.

As we recognize the SBA’s National Small Business Week in 2020, we must acknowledge the unprecedented challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating.

Today, Claudia Lombana, consumer expert and Award-Winning Journalist joined us today to share important information from a new VISA back-to-business report about the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Small businesses have never been more important or needed more help as the nation struggles with the challenges of COVID-19.

Even National Small Business Week, which is normally held in May was postponed.

That’s why Visa is releasing a special Back to Business Study, just in time for National Small Business Week.

The study will reveal how small business owners and consumers feel about the future and what they’re doing to prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season. 

What else the study will reveal:

HOLIDAY HELP — How 60% of small business owners are already taking steps to maximize the holiday season amid economic uncertainty and consumer expectations for safe and contactless payment moments.

GO VIRTUAL — How back-to-business kits from Visa are helping with contactless payments

IMPORTANCE — More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business that create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year

For more information visit, visa.com/smallbusinesshub