Business & Economic Insights
Learn about the latest payment industry trends and consumer spending habits.
*NEW* Global Middle Class Consumption Study
U.S. consumer sector economic data remains strong
July 19, 2019
Monthly report on the consumer economic landscape from U.S. Principal Economist Michael Brown and U.S. Economist Eric Warner.
U.S. Economy: Lower rates on the horizon
July 10, 2019
The FOMC will likely cut rates twice this year, trying to nudge inflation closer to its 2 percent target and offset the slowdown in U.S. manufacturing.
Retail sales are stronger than they look
June 25, 2019
Visa’s analysis of the most recent consumer sector economic data indicates consumer spending should accelerate in the second quarter.
U.S. Economy: Continued trade uncertainty weighs on economic growth
June 17, 2019
Economic data continues to indicate a downshift in the pace of economic growth in the second quarter.
Consumer spending off to a disappointing start in Q2
May 21, 2019
Monthly report on the consumer economic landscape from Chief Economist Wayne Best and U.S. Principal Economist Michael Brown.
U.S. small business economic outlook remains steady
May 17, 2019
“Business as usual” climate continues with America’s small businesses, according to latest Visa survey.
U.S. Economic Outlook: Finding the signal through the noise
May 8, 2019
U.S. headline economic growth appeared surprisingly strong in the first quarter, but was inflated by higher inventories and a contraction in import activity.
Consumer spending shows signs of strengthening
April 18, 2019
Visa’s monthly report on the consumer economic landscape from Chief Economist Wayne Best and U.S. Principal Economist Michael Brown.
U.S. Economic Outlook: A weak start, but growth to rebound in 2019
April 18, 2019
Looking ahead to Q2, Visa’s April U.S. economic forecast continues to show that growth will likely pick up.
How much longer can the current U.S. economic expansion continue?
April 3, 2019
The ongoing U.S. economic expansion is approaching record-breaking status, but for how long? Visa’s Principal U.S. Economist, Michael Brown, discusses the economic indicators he monitors for signs of a recession.
Small business economic indicators still relatively strong
February 20, 2019
Women are more likely than men to need funding to grow their small businesses, according to Visa survey.
Gen X leads the holiday spending forecast
November 20, 2018
Thanksgiving weekend is lining up to be one of the strongest in years for U.S. retailers.
Consumer spending shifting to improve quality of life
June 13, 2018
A video insight from Visa's Chief Economist, Wayne Best.
Consumer wealth has major implications for U.S. economy
March 20, 2018
Stock and home values have increased household wealth and supercharged consumer spending.
Holiday spending expected to grow 3.5-4 percent YoY
November 21, 2017
U.S. e-commerce spending is likely to increase 15-17 percent this holiday season.
Building, hardware and garden store sales are booming
October 11, 2017
Hardware and garden store sales increased by 12.8 percent as consumers remodel their homes.
Clothing store sales growth declines
September 5, 2017
Clothing store sales growth declines overall, but jewelry sales are going strong.
Gray is the new black: Baby boomers still outspend millennials
December 16, 2016
Visa projects consumers age 60+ will continue to drive U.S. spending for the next five to 20 years.
Affluent consumer spending is under pressure
October 13, 2016
Affluent U.S. consumers have pulled back on spending in recent years, lagging as much as five percentage points behind non-affluent spending growth.
Despite risks, stability is returning to global economic growth
May 10, 2019
Brexit, declining global home prices and trade tensions are the biggest issues that threaten the global outlook.
Strong growth for the U.S. economy, but will it last?
November 30, 2018
Potential trade war adds uncertainty to the outlook.
Troubled waters ahead for the U.S. economy?
June 20, 2018
By most measures, the U.S. economy is on solid footing, but fiscal stimulus—in the form of tax cuts—could overheat the economy.
Global economy growth expected to continue in 2018
January 22, 2018
In 2017, the global economy saw the most broad-based growth since the global financial crisis. What's ahead in 2018?
Slow economic growth expected for coming years
October 27, 2017
The U.S. economy is expanding, but a variety of factors could hinder growth.
Strong U.S. economy spurs spending in key merchant categories
May 25, 2017
The U.S. economy has been expanding for nearly eight years and appears on track to surpass the 10-year record set in the 1990s.
Global economy adjusts to 'slow-fast world'
January 9, 2017
Nearly half of the world's countries will see a steady decline in working-age populations.
U.S. consumer spending reveals economic growth
October 21, 2016
Weak GDP figures mask the strength of the consumer.
Economic growth bolsters housing
June 30, 2016
Until recently, housing was the missing link in the economic recovery.
U.S. economy outlook steady despite weaker global trends
April 1, 2016
The global economy is in the longest stretch of sub-par growth of the last three decades.
The world’s most visited cities in 2018
April 12, 2019
Ranking the world’s top destinations for international arrivals in each region.
Closer destinations preferred for beach travel
December 20, 2018
2017 hurricanes still displacing some N. American Caribbean travel.
Cross-border tourism in Asia is taking off
June 6, 2018
Cross-border tourism from Asia Pacific is booming—outpacing income growth in the region.
Visa explores growth opportunities for global ski tourism
February 6, 2018
The importance of foreign ski travel to the tourism industry overall varies widely by country.
Ski destinations have room for further market development
February 6, 2018
Seasonal variations in international visits provide insights into the potential for attracting foreign tourists to ski destinations.
The slippery slope of population aging in ski tourism
February 6, 2018
Ski destinations are more exposed to aging trends in part due to the preponderance of European travelers in the cross-border ski market.
Top 25 winter ski destinations for international travelers
February 6, 2018
Austria’s Pinzgau-Pongau region of the Alps is ranked #1 in Visa’s list of the top 25 global winter ski destinations,* based on a three-year average of cross-border arrivals according to the Visa International Travel (VISIT) platform.
Visa estimates impact of Olympic Winter Games
December 13, 2017
South Korea could see a tourism lift of 5-10 percent from the winter games in PyeongChang.
Impact of Asia Pacific travelers visiting U.S. national parks
July 24, 2017
Asian travelers are the fastest-growing segment of park visitors.
Importance of U.S. national parks to tourism industry
July 24, 2017
At least one in eight foreign tourists visit the U.S. national parks in the summer—a nearly $10 billion economic boost.
Western U.S. national parks popular with foreign tourists
July 24, 2017
Find out the top 10 U.S. national parks ranked by foreign tourist visits.
Currency movements impact Asia Pacific travel
May 31, 2017
The post-Brexit British pound decrease in value against Asia Pacific currencies may have impacted AP travel.
Top-trending summer travel destinations for North Americans
May 12, 2017
Find out which global travel destinations are popular with summer travelers.
Travel to U.K. saves Americans nearly $150/trip post-Brexit
April 18, 2017
The weaker British pound made the U.K. a more affordable travel destination following Brexit.
Travel wanderlust: Age is not a constraint, but income might be
February 22, 2017
New research from Visa Business + Economic Insights indicates seniors will have a growing impact on travel and tourism.
Brexit: Long-term impact on travel is unknown
August 18, 2016
Brexit could impact international travel and cause a reduction in British travel to the rest of the world: U.K. travelers currently account for nearly 8 percent of all international departures.
Mapping the future of global travel
June 7, 2016
Learn about global travel projections through the year 2025 for travelers from 50 key markets.
What happens when cities close their "globalization gap" over the next decade?
April 3, 2019
Hundreds of millions more global consumers will enter the middle class and gain purchasing power extending beyond their basic needs. Who and where are they? Visa's chief economist discusses this trend and what it could mean for global merchants.
A year after demonetization, digital payments grow in India
November 14, 2017
The Indian economy has transformed considerably toward cashless payments.
Digital payments are expanding in India
July 10, 2017
India continues to make steady progress toward becoming a “less cash society".
After demonetization: India's move to a "less-cash" society
India is on the path to becoming a digital payments economy.
Income is driving Southeast Asian spending
October 31, 2016
Despite declines in the housing market, spending is unlikely to suffer as a result.
The global impact of electronic payments
March 9, 2016
Payment cards help stimulate global economic growth.
Visa Business and Economic Insights, part of Visa Consulting & Analytics, offers actionable intelligence about the evolving global economy. By applying advanced research and analysis in many areas affecting your bottom line, we can help you:
- Track consumer spending trends
- Understand economic conditions impacting consumer spending
- Pinpoint consumers that have a strong buying presence
- Monitor regional and demographic economic trends
- Identify global markets with growth potential
- Take advantage of global tourism and travel trends
Our timely insights into consumer spending and payments help you make decisions that will position your business for success.