The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that preliminary figures suggest holiday spending rose again this year, but the numbers mask a split reality as older and affluent Canadians increased spending, while younger consumers cut back and took on debt. The Globe's Mariya Postelnyak writes that data released Dec. 23 by Visa Canada showed that holiday retail spending unadjusted for inflation was up 4.4 per cent year-over-year across all payment types, led by clothing and accessories on one end and practical general merchandise on the other. However, Black Friday, which traditionally caters to younger shoppers, saw spending dip. Despite making the recent decision to stop serving the U.S. market given "very unpredictable" customs charges, Marion Le Saux, co-founder of Toronto-based furnishings store Socco Living said sales are growing. Households earning between $100,000 and $150,000 also increased their intention to shop on Boxing Day. Consultant PwC said a pullback in spending this holiday season was expected to be most pronounced among Gen Z, with Canadians in this group planning to spend 34 per cent less than last year, and millennials 11 per cent less; compared with last year, total spend was down 4 per cent.