Stores that kept their doors shut on Thanksgiving Day, some for the first time in several years, are banking on record Black Friday sales.
Based on early numbers, they may be getting them.
"Merchants I've talked to, and it's still early , but the ones I've talked to, have reported better than last year's sales,” said Rosemary Salerno, General Manager of Zona Rosa in the Northland.
Although Zona Rosa has been closed on Thanksgiving Day three years running, Salerno feels retailers are being more aggressive than ever.
"Consumers like to go and shop where there's deals. And where they know they're getting a great special, and when you see the deals that are going on here, that's what drives a consumer business,” she said.
Over $1 billion has been spent already since Thursday, up nearly 14 percent from last year, according to Adobe Digital Insights
But what may really be helping the record numbers are those shopping online.
According to Adobe Digital Insights, who tracks U.S. consumer spending, online Black Friday sales will likely pass the $3 billion mark for the first time ever, and $1 billion will be spent from mobile devices alone.
The National Retail Federation says Americans plans to spend an average of $935 during the holiday shopping season this year, which would be a new record. Roughly six out of ten Americans are expected to shop Thanksgiving weekend.
As in years past, many of the best deals appear to be regarding electronics. Tablet prices are down 25 percent from last year while TVs are down 24 percent.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
