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Shoppers Flock to Online Black Friday Sales for the Best Deals
Crowds Flock to Online Black Friday Sales for Best Deals
Every year, Black Friday creates a shopping frenzy, and this year, too, American consumers made the most of the opportunity. Although retailers had started offering holiday discounts earlier than usual, the number of shoppers on Black Friday outpaced the preceding days.
An Increase in Sales on Black Friday
As per the report of Mastercard Spending Pulse, sales – in-store and online – have risen by 3.4% on Black Friday compared to the last year. Earlier, delving into the report of Steve Sadove, Senior Advisor, Mastercard, shoppers have acted strategically this time around, making selective purchases in promotions they deem most valuable, spending intentionally.
online shopping gets the edge:
The online sales took an upsurge of 14.6%, ompared with that, the in-store sale surged by only 1%. This indeed reflects the propensity of many people wanting to do online shopping for their purchase.
Most Popular Shopping Items
- Apparel- it is one of the most coveted categories among online shoppers, even with the hot weather conditions.
- Jewelry and Electronics: Due to discounts, most customers gravitated towards these items.
- Grocery and Restaurants: This spike in supermarket expenses would prove that expenditure really rose significantly. Two weeks prior to Black Friday had people spending much on groceries and even more in restaurants on the following day, which was Thanksgiving.
Record Online Shopping
According to Adobe Analytics, online shoppers spent $10.8 billion on Black Friday this year, surpassing the $9.8 billion spent in 2023. - Thanksgiving Day also saw record spending of $6.1 billion.
- Cyber Monday is expected to be the biggest shopping day of the year, with an estimated $13.2 billion in sales, a 6.1% year-over-year increase.
Global Record Sales
E-commerce platform Shopify reported a record $5 billion in global Black Friday sales this year. In the US, the average cart price was about $157, with popular items including T-shirts, skincare products, and vitamins.
Discounts and Environmental Concerns
Amidst the discounts, a question arises: Is this shopping spree truly sustainable?
Flora Bagenal, producer of Netflix’s documentary Buy Now! highlighted the downside of mass-produced electronics, toys, and clothes that are often discarded, creating a cycle of overconsumption that harms the environment.
Holiday Spending Projections
The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated that the average American would spend $902 this holiday season, including gifts, food, and decorations—a $25 increase from last year.
Conclusion
Shop Wisely
While Black Friday is an excellent opportunity to grab deals, it’s equally important to shop thoughtfully and opt for sustainable choices. Black Friday is not just about deals; it’s also a time to focus on needs and the environment.
FAQs
Q.1. Why do shoppers prefer Black Friday sales to online ones rather than in-store shopping?
A.1 Online shopping provides a convenience aspect by having a large selection of products to choose from and the quick ability to compare prices. Most importantly, many retailers giving online special deals and discounts offer the choice to do Black Friday online shopping rather than in-store.
Q.2.Are the discounts for Black Fridays worth it?
A.2 Yes, definitely, the discounts on Black Friday provide significant relief in shopping for many items. Research is significantly important to ensure that offered deals are not mere marketing gimmicks but really worthy.
Q.3. What impact does the Black Friday on e-commerce platforms such as Shopify?
A.3 Much of those transactions are on platforms like Shopify. This year, $5 billion is the global record for sales reported by Shopify on Black Friday. All these simply make it possible for businesses to reach customers and have smooth shopping experiences.
Q.4. What environmental issues araises with regard to Black Friday sales?
A.4 Mass production followed by immediate throwing away of electronics, toys, apparels during Black Friday sales promotes over-consumption and damage to the environment. Consumers are urged that they should be thoughtful about buying and consider sustainability.
