Shoppers are amazed by the deals and crowds on Black Friday
Shoppers are frustrated and unimpressed with Black Friday deals so far.
The Repasky family has a tradition of going out to the Tysons Corner Center mall in Virginia on Black Friday. One change they noticed this year is a decrease in the number of deals and freebies.
Jennifer Schmoke reported the same thing from Westfield Montgomery Mall in Maryland on Friday morning. “I don’t think the deals were that good,” the 50-year-old banker said. Last year, Macy’s Inc. gave it away. $10 voucher for being first in line, but she didn’t do that this year.
Nearby in Philadelphia, Melissa Retzius, a 50-year-old housewife, wasn’t impressed with the sales at the Polo Store. Ralph Lauren Factory store. Although the deals looked comparable to last year, with the higher prices listed they did not represent a significant discount.
Prices for one polo jacket she was eyeing went from $125 last year to $170 this year. “It’s a big change,” she said. Retzius wasn’t finished buying it.
Many shoppers said they came out to enjoy the experience of large crowds, but that was also disappointing for some. Some malls and shopping centers across the United States today, such as Patrick Henry Mall in Virginia, were empty this morning. Others had lines at a few stores, such as Macy’s and Old Navy, goal And it was issued.
“It feels like nothing less than a normal Saturday,” said Nicole Slaughter of the Mall of Georgia in the Atlanta area.
Deontay Phillips, a 26-year-old serving in the military, who went out on his first Black Friday, was bummed by the lack of deals and celebrations. “It’s not really what I expected,” the company’s Phillips said. Best buy Company store in Newport News, Virginia. “I probably won’t do this again.”
American consumers are heading into the official start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a slew of… Economic concernsincluding a cold labor market, stagnant wages, persistent inflation and the looming fallout from tariffs. Black Friday will be a litmus test: Will American shoppers be able to weather the growing economic headwinds or will the consumer-driven American economy begin to fade?
Signs point to a less pleasant holiday season.
“We don’t expect it to be an overly exciting holiday,” said Marshall Cohen, senior retail consultant at research firm Circana.
While overall spending is estimated to be on par with last year, according to Circana, unit sales could decline by up to 2.5%. In other words: people will spend more to buy fewer things.
“The tree won’t be disturbed this year,” Cohen said.
US retailers generate 20% of their annual sales in November and December. This year, companies are competing for an increasingly anxious and price-sensitive consumer. While people are still willing to spend — especially those in the top 10% of income earners — they are selective about where they put their money. Some shoppers say they plan to take advantage of Black Friday sales not to splurge, but for the sake of it Stock up on the essentials.
Definitions, meanwhile, are Which makes it more difficult For some brands to offer the deep discounts typically associated with Black Friday. Shoppers who venture into stores may face longer lines and less assistance. Seasonal retail employment is expected to fall to its lowest level since 2009.
“There’s nothing discounted enough that it moves the needle where I’m like, ‘I don’t need it, but I need to get it now,'” Jennifer Greenberg, a 29-year-old who lives in New York City, said while shopping for a menorah at Bloomingdale’s.
However, the day will not be completely devoid of promotions.
Walmart Inc. offers Discounts on a range of items including 50% off Vizio TVs and a puffer jacket for just $10. Amazon.com has discounts of up to 50% on beauty products from Lancôme and luxury perfumes from other brands. Target Corp. is offering nearly half off SodaStream devices and up to $200 off apple Products, plus $1 bow decorations, $5 fashionista Barbie dolls, and $10 throws. in Home Depot Inc., some electrical appliances and refrigerators will be 50% off.
Cole plans to beExtremely“Promotions this holiday season to attract nervous shoppers. Best Buy expects a stronger Black Friday than in years past.
The stores also hope to attract shoppers in other ways. Target was planning to offer free gift bags to the first 100 customers in each store on Black Friday and will offer exclusive Wicked-themed items and frozen mint hot chocolate at Starbucks Locations in its stores. Abercrombie & Fitch Inc.’s Hollister is collaborating. With Taco Bell selling limited-edition merchandise that will debut on Cyber Monday. Walmart and Target are rolling out new AI-driven shopping tools to help customers find deals and make purchases more easily.
Consumer spending has remained relatively flat this year despite the macroeconomic turmoil. Earlier in the year, some shoppers fueled sales with expensive products they bought to avoid impending tariffs. Since then, the booming stock market has kept people in the highest income brackets in terms of spending. Many retailers said people’s buying habits remained steady and that the tariffs had not affected prices as much as initially expected.
But recently, Dark signals It’s starting to appear. Low-income consumers are cutting back on their spending, while American consumer confidence is declining slid In November, the highest number in seven months. Retail sales growth slowed in September.
Shoppers are likely to be drawn to items that may be affected by tariffs next year, said Jessica Ramirez, managing director at consulting firm Consumer Collective. People also buy things that bring them happiness during difficult times, she said. This includes key chains and other accessories to spruce up handbags and home decor items to brighten up their living space.
In recent years, Black Friday has become less of an event as more shoppers take advantage of fall and online sales, like Amazon Prime Day, to get an early start on holiday shopping. He said this trend has become more evident this year due to concerns about tariffs Michael Brownthe leading retailer in the Americas at Kearney Strategy. He added that this may affect overall spending during the next two months.
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