Consumer Reports: Fewer Americans to Hit Stores Over Black Friday Weekend
A Consumer Reports poll indicates that fewer Americans plan to shop at stores over the Black Friday. The results contradict surveys from the International Council of Shopping Centers and National Retail Federation that found there will be more shoppers this year.
About 102 million Americans intend to hit the mall on Black Friday, or on the three days following, according to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll. Consumer Reports says this is roughly 16 million less than last year.
Consumer Reports did find that there will be plenty of shoppers looking for deals online. The annual poll found half of consumers are confident that the deals will be equally as good at the mall or on the Net.
Electronics (75%) and clothing (72%) are expected to dominate Black Friday weekend purchases. Within electronics, video games (42%) are by far the biggest single item people plan to buy according to the poll. Shoppers also plan to scoop up toys (56%) and gift cards (50%). People will be shopping for themselves as well as others. Consumer Reports says the gifts people are most likely to buy for themselves include food or wine, laptops, and TVs. Take a look:
