WASHINGTON, D.C.–Consumers spent $59.1 billion in holiday shopping over the past four days, according to the National Retail Federation, setting records for the number of people shopping on both Thanksgiving Day and the Black Friday weekend.
More than 35 million Americans visited retailers’ stores and websites on Thanksgiving Day—up from 29 million last year, NRF said, and a record 247 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday weekend, up from 226 million last year. According to an NRF survey conducted by BIGinsight over the weekend, the average holiday shopper spent $423 this weekend, up from $398 last year.
The shopping has only just begun. According to a survey conducted for Shop.org by BIGinsight, 129.2 million Americans plan to shop today—Cyber Monday—up from the 122.8 million who shopped last year, and the 106.9 million who shopped on Cyber Monday in 2010.
“From green beans to great deals, millions of Americans found time this Thanksgiving to make the most of retailers’ promotions and enjoy a special family holiday,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “To keep their customers excited about holiday shopping, retailers will continue to offer attractive promotions through December, and provide strong consumer value with low prices, enhanced mobile and online offerings, and unique product assortment.”
Online shoppers will make this Cyber Monday “bigger than ever,” according to Shop.org Executive Director Vicki Cantrell. “Retailers have honed and improved their websites, mobile sites and social media outreach to be better than ever and consumers know that come Cyber Monday, many retailers will have a slew of new promotions to help them make a real dent in their holiday shopping lists, without breaking the bank or even having to head to the store.”