Most investors know that the holiday season is a crucial time of year for retailers, but it's not just brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce companies that depend on the seasonal shopping season.

The gift-giving time of year is also key for the advertising industry, consumer products makers, logistics companies, video entertainment providers, fintechs, and others. Consumer demand is also a bellwether for the broader U.S. economy as consumer spending makes up roughly 70% of GDP, meaning investors of all stripes should be paying attention to how the holiday season goes.

While the shopping boom won't kick off until next week after Black Friday, there are a number of signs showing that investors could get a lump of coal from Santa this holiday season. Let's take a look at them and discuss what you should do as an investor.

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Source Fool.com