Alina Selyuk

It's a lot. And that's just as of Wednesday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online transactions.

It's a lot. And that's just as of Wednesday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online transactions.

I think that's part of it. But there is more to the story. For this Black Friday weekend, retailers are also expecting huge turnout, a record number of people shopping. And of those people, there's a growing group saying they plan to spend more this year than they did last year. Which, you know, how do you get more people shopping when more people say they're tightening their budgets?

I think that's part of it. But there is more to the story. For this Black Friday weekend, retailers are also expecting huge turnout, a record number of people shopping. And of those people, there's a growing group saying they plan to spend more this year than they did last year. Which, you know, how do you get more people shopping when more people say they're tightening their budgets?

I think that's part of it. But there is more to the story. For this Black Friday weekend, retailers are also expecting huge turnout, a record number of people shopping. And of those people, there's a growing group saying they plan to spend more this year than they did last year. Which, you know, how do you get more people shopping when more people say they're tightening their budgets?

And the answer is deals. When people feel financially squeezed, to have several days known for discounts is a big draw.

And the answer is deals. When people feel financially squeezed, to have several days known for discounts is a big draw.

And the answer is deals. When people feel financially squeezed, to have several days known for discounts is a big draw.

You know, that's the perennial question, and the answer is always, it depends. Deals are not good enough for a lot of shoppers I talk to who say prices are too high to begin with, and any discount is simply not enough. But then you have this weird calendar thing. Thanksgiving this year is quite late in November, so there are actually five fewer shopping days till Christmas.

You know, that's the perennial question, and the answer is always, it depends. Deals are not good enough for a lot of shoppers I talk to who say prices are too high to begin with, and any discount is simply not enough. But then you have this weird calendar thing. Thanksgiving this year is quite late in November, so there are actually five fewer shopping days till Christmas.

You know, that's the perennial question, and the answer is always, it depends. Deals are not good enough for a lot of shoppers I talk to who say prices are too high to begin with, and any discount is simply not enough. But then you have this weird calendar thing. Thanksgiving this year is quite late in November, so there are actually five fewer shopping days till Christmas.

Which means less time for retailers to sell you what they want to sell you, which has some experts predicting maybe rolling sales, that stores might drop prices just to clear those shelves.

Which means less time for retailers to sell you what they want to sell you, which has some experts predicting maybe rolling sales, that stores might drop prices just to clear those shelves.

Which means less time for retailers to sell you what they want to sell you, which has some experts predicting maybe rolling sales, that stores might drop prices just to clear those shelves.

You know, it's a lot of classics this year. Top toys are expected to include Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbies, slime kits for adults, dice and hair devices, fitness trackers, gaming consoles, and pickleball paddles, which is a new classic. And one thing came up in a survey by Circona. It's a market research firm.

You know, it's a lot of classics this year. Top toys are expected to include Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbies, slime kits for adults, dice and hair devices, fitness trackers, gaming consoles, and pickleball paddles, which is a new classic. And one thing came up in a survey by Circona. It's a market research firm.

You know, it's a lot of classics this year. Top toys are expected to include Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbies, slime kits for adults, dice and hair devices, fitness trackers, gaming consoles, and pickleball paddles, which is a new classic. And one thing came up in a survey by Circona. It's a market research firm.

They found almost two-thirds of shoppers saying that higher costs of food and bills, like insurance especially, It has people changing how they shop. People are maybe buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. And there's another curious element. There's one category that shifts depending on economic vibes.

They found almost two-thirds of shoppers saying that higher costs of food and bills, like insurance especially, It has people changing how they shop. People are maybe buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. And there's another curious element. There's one category that shifts depending on economic vibes.

They found almost two-thirds of shoppers saying that higher costs of food and bills, like insurance especially, It has people changing how they shop. People are maybe buying fewer gifts, cheaper gifts, or buying off-brand stuff. And there's another curious element. There's one category that shifts depending on economic vibes.