US retail sales rise 2.5%, e-commerce up 8.5% YoY on Black Friday

Further, a number of sporting events aired on Friday, making online shopping an appealing option for game day viewers to shop wherever they might be watching. In-store sales increased 1.1 per cent YoY, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment.

Retailers once again started their Black Friday sales early in the month, giving consumers ample time to search for promotions and score the best deals.

While experiential gifts have been the popular choice the past few years, consumers continue to search for something to unwrap for the holidays with apparel being among the top gift sectors of the day.

“Consumers are navigating the holiday season well and taking advantage of holiday promotions, giving them ample choice as they hunt for gifts for everyone on their list,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Incorporated. “Consumers are also shopping smarter, using all of their tools—from searching across channels to cross checking on apps and websites—to maximise value while they spend time with friends and family.”

ALCHEMPro News Desk (NB)