This year’s Thanksgiving weekend brought a record number of shoppers to both stores and online shopping as deals such as free shipping and limited time promotions attracted millions of consumers across America. According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics, 189.6 million Americans shopped for products and services over the weekend, spending an average of $361.9 on gifts and other holiday items.
Black Friday was the busiest day for in-store activity, with 84.2 million shoppers but the day known for its in-person sales also topped Cyber Monday as the busiest day for online shopping this year, despite Cyber Monday being historically popular for its online deals. The survey reported that consumers who shopped both in stores and online spent at least 25 percent more than those who shopped through only one source or the other.
The most popular items purchased over the weekend were apparel, toys, electronics, books/music/movies/video games, and gift cards with consumers reporting they completed 52 percent of their holiday shopping over the weekend. Free shipping was the biggest reason for shoppers to make a purchase they were otherwise hesitant about and many sales were attributed to consumers being able to use their mobile device to research products, compare prices, and make a purchase.
“Americans continue to start their holiday shopping earlier in the year, and Thanksgiving is still a critical weekend for millions,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Whether they’re looking for something unique on Main Street, making a trip to the store or searching for the best deals from their mobile device, this is when shoppers shift into high gear. With the condensed holiday season, consumers are feeling the pressure to get their shopping done in time. Even those who typically wait until the last minute to purchase gifts turned out in record numbers all weekend long.”
