Running the Numbers on Your Summer Kick-Off

Disclaimer: Memorial Day commemorates the lives lost by members of the military in service to the United States. While it’s often observed as the unofficial kickoff to summer, and while this article will be a fun look at how consumers will spend this celebration, it’s important that we acknowledge this upfront, and thank all those that have served. It’s because of their sacrifices that the rest of us are free and safe to enjoy spending time with friends and families this weekend.

Across the US, the signs summer is approaching are all around – later sunsets, the siren sound of ice cream trucks on the corner, and kids sharing their big plans for after the school year wraps. This weekend, Memorial Day will mark the unofficial start of the season, and with that will come family BBQs, long weekends away, and maybe some shopping for your new summer style (apparently it’ll be butter yellow). 

But even if you are not a nerdy Vestie closely following each market trend, there is a pretty big chance that today’s geopolitical and market volatility will impact your weekend plans – or at least the hit this weekend has on your wallet. Check out three ways today’s retail, trade and travel trends will come together this Memorial Day weekend.

A More Costly BBQ Menu 

After a winter of egg prices and availability dominating headlines, this summer will unfortunately not break the trend of rising costs for many food products and consumer staples. Prices for barbeque staples like steak and beer are significantly higher than in previous years. For instance, steaks are 7% more expensive, and beer is 10% more expensive compared to last year. While less extreme than the increase on the price of beef, other Memorial Day grill staples like chicken and pork are also pricier this year compared to last. 

Several factors contribute to these rising prices, including “tight supplies and continued consumer demand,” according to the USDA. Inflation also places a role, even if there have been signs the inflation rate has been lowering, at 3.4% in April 2025 compared to 8.3% in April 2022. But, consumers will still see rising prices in the grocery story as food-at-home prices are predicted to increase 3.2% overall this year.

Shopping Summer Sales 

With the start of the summer, many top retailers will be taking the opportunity to boost sales – which means there are more deals to be found for consumers. Top brands from Target to REI to Wayfair or Lowe’s are offering steep discounts for everything you need for Summer 2025. This ranges from a new patio set, to gear for an outdoor adventure, or the latest look for your summer vacation. 

This is a welcome break in otherwise less promising headlines around retail trends, with chains like Walmart warning that prices are about to increase to offset the impact from tariffs. So take advantage of the savings while they are here, and enjoy maybe a short break in thinking about the ongoing tariff will-they-won’t-they news cycle.

Get Out of Town 

From a beach town escape to getting into the great outdoors, lots of Americans are dipping into their travel budgets for Memorial Day weekend. In fact, AAA data finds that Memorial Day travel is projected to beat a 20-year-old record high this year. While this may not be surprising that folks still have an urge to travel in the years following the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, it is still remarkable that there will be 1.4 million more travelers this year compared to last.

The same AAA data finds that 87% of these travelers will be going by car this year –  good news for them as gas prices are at their lowest since Memorial Day since 2021. This focus on shorter travel by car is also a sign that US consumers may be looking for more budget-friendly routes to celebrate this summer. 

For those opting to travel by air, there are also promising signs for a less expensive Memorial Day weekend as Kayak finds average airfare prices are down 7% for this summer, and holiday weekends including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are showing lower prices as well. 

Overall, this Memorial Day Weekend is an indicator of several of the macroeconomic trends we are watching for US consumers. This includes rising costs on some of our core staples, retailers warning of further price increases to come, and consumers still wanting to get out of the house and valuing experiences with loved ones. 

But no matter how you are celebrating, whether with a 10% pricier beer or a 7% cheaper getaway, have a restful and sunny start to your summer!