Black Friday Retail Sales Show Growth with Mastercard Insights

Black Friday Retail Sales Growth Reported by Mastercard

PURCHASE, N.Y.-- According to preliminary insights from Mastercard SpendingPulse™, U.S. retail sales excluding automotive surged by 3.4% on Black Friday compared to the previous year. This measurement captures both in-store and online retail sales across various payment methods and is not adjusted for inflation.

Shifts in Consumer Shopping Behavior

In recent years, Black Friday has evolved from a single shopping day into an extended promotional window, allowing consumers ample opportunities to secure deals. Although many shoppers were already drawn in by early promotions before Thanksgiving, Black Friday remains a significant event in the holiday shopping calendar. Noteworthy observations from this year included:

• Online retail sales soared by 14.6%, while in-store sales saw a modest rise of 0.7%, reflecting the different shopping preferences of consumers.
• Jewelry, electronics, and apparel emerged as the leading gift categories, with apparel showing notable strength, especially in e-commerce.

The Economics Behind Holiday Shopping

“Black Friday served as a strong indicator of a healthy holiday shopping season,” stated Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Mastercard Economics Institute. “The insights gained in real-time reveal a festive consumer attitude, with shoppers actively engaging in budget-friendly deals across various sectors.”

Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated, commented, “Consumers are taking advantage of seasonal discounts while balancing spending on experiences and gifts. They are being more strategic, prioritizing promotions that provide the best value and ensuring they spend wisely.”

Key Retail Insights for the Pre-Holiday Season

Analyzing the two-week period leading up to Black Friday, several key trends have emerged:

• Value is Key: This season, both retailers and consumers focused on early promotional strategies, enticing shoppers looking for valuable discounts.
• Apparel Takes Center Stage: Despite a warm fall, apparel sales performed well in stores, while online sales also picked up significantly for Black Friday. Footwear sales were particularly strong as shoppers looked to complete their outfits.
• Festive Dining Trends: Grocery spending grew as families celebrated at home during the weeks leading up to Black Friday. Restaurant spending on Black Friday itself also showed impressive growth.
• Regional Performance: Certain areas, including Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Colorado, demonstrated stronger spending patterns compared to others.

Understanding Mastercard SpendingPulse

Mastercard SpendingPulse is a tool that measures national retail sales data based on aggregated and anonymized information from Mastercard. This resource represents all payment types across specific markets globally.

The definition of "U.S. retail sales" encompasses sales made at retailers and food services of all sizes. It is important to note that activity in the services sector, such as travel services like airlines and lodging, is not included in this total sales measurement. Insights generated through SpendingPulse do not reflect the performance of Mastercard as a company, and they may change as new data becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mastercard SpendingPulse?

Mastercard SpendingPulse is a tool that measures retail sales based on aggregated and anonymized Mastercard data, capturing spending across various payment methods.

How much did retail sales increase on Black Friday?

The U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, went up by 3.4% on Black Friday compared to the prior year.

What were the most popular gift categories this year?

The leading gift categories for this holiday season included jewelry, electronics, and apparel, with a notable increase in online sales for apparel on Black Friday.

What trends emerged from the Black Friday shopping period?

Key trends included significant online retail growth, strategic shopping behavior among consumers, and increased spending on groceries and dining out during the holiday season.

How do regional spending patterns compare?

Spending patterns varied by region, with areas like Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Colorado showing particularly strong growth in retail spending.

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