The Battle for Holiday Spending: Retailers vs. Deal-Hungry Shoppers

Shoppers are cautiously navigating the Black Friday sales, with foot traffic steady but not frenzied. Retailers are offering discounts averaging 25% to 30%, but consumers are holding out for better deals. Online sales on Thanksgiving Day reached a record $5.6 billion, with toys, jewelry, and clothing selling quickly. Retailers hope to anticipate spending capacity while shoppers expect enticing deals. Total holiday sales are expected to be softer this year due to various economic pressures. Retailers are cautious about cutting prices too deeply, but inventory positions are better than last year.