Edited by Lester Brathwaite on
Despite a host of deterrent factors — inflation, low consumer confidence, low retailer confidence, a depressed housing market, a lack of job opportunities, everything going on in the world — Americans still turned out in record-breaking droves for Black Friday. Shoppers embraced early store hours, mobile and online shopping, and a plethora of product promotions to a tune of $52.4 billion over the weekend. Sales on Black Friday alone accounted for $11.4 billion — the biggest amount ever spent during that most sacred and dark of days. Click through for some fascinating Friday facts and figures.
Photo: Totally Cool Pix
- 226 million people shopped in-store and online over Black Friday weekend; up from 212 million in 2010
- 28.7 million people shopped in-store and online on Thanksgiving Day; up from 22.2 million in 2010
- Average shopper spent $398.62 over the weekend; up from $365.34 in 2010
- Total spent over Black Friday weekend in 2011: $52.4 billion; total spent in 2010: $45 billion
- Total spent on the actual Black Friday: $11.4 billion; a 6.6% increase from 2010
- Amount of shopping done online: 37.8% or $150.53 per person
Retailers — several of whom reported record-breaking sales — were generally shocked, albeit ecstatic, over the holiday shopping surge. However, the National Retail Federation — the organization responsible for all these numbers — only predicts a 2.8% increase in retail sales this holiday season. But considering that greed won out in the end, with consumers tending to buy as much for themselves as for gifts, there’s still plenty of shopping to be done. Luckily, there’s Cyber Monday, Super Saturday — the Saturday before Christmas — and my favorite, Wait, What Day Is It ‘Cuz I Totes Didn’t Get Anyone Shit-Day. Also known as Christmas Eve. [WWD, sub req'd]
I was center square from 1969 to 1978, during which I perfected the art of the zing as well as a crippling cocaine addiction. Bea Arthur was responsible for both.
@LesFabian
lester at fashionindie.com