The 2023 US Thanksgiving weekend saw a record-breaking 197 million shoppers, according to data from the National Retail Federation. This surpasses initial expectations of 183.4 million and is slightly lower than last year’s figure of 200 million.
Shoppers spent an average of $235 each over the five-day period, with apparel and accessories being the top gifts purchases. Personal care items also saw significant sales.
Despite a shorter shopping window, retailers successfully countered early sales promotions and bargain-focused shoppers through blockbuster deals.
Black Friday was the most popular day, with 81.7 million consumers shopping in stores and 87.3 million online. US e-commerce sales surged 14.6% on Black Friday, while in-store sales edged up 0.7%.
Retailers responded to customers opting for mobile shopping by offering aggressive promotions on websites and apps. Walmart and Target took particular note, offering discounts on various products.
Cyber Monday saw significant sales across categories, including electronics and jewelry. The data suggests retailers will have a challenging time surpassing growth in holiday sales this year.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/us-thanksgiving-weekend-records-197-million-shoppers-retail-body-says-2024-12-03