Black Friday Shoppers Brave Snow as Spending Hits Record Highs

UPDATE: Black Friday shopping surged despite snowy conditions in upstate New York, with families venturing out early to seize deals. Shoppers lined up as early as 4 a.m. for exclusive promotions, showcasing a resilient holiday spirit.

Tina Douglas from Richfield Springs was among the first in line at Kohl’s, securing her family’s spot as numbers 15 through 19 in a race for the store’s first 100 people giveaway. “We have already filled my Jeep and had to transfer stuff to another vehicle,” Douglas shared, highlighting the dedication of local shoppers.

Consumer spending is poised to break records this holiday season. Retail expert Shelley E. Kohan from Syracuse University predicts that Americans will spend over $1 trillion between November and December, marking a historic high. “We’re expecting an increase in sales of around 3%,” Kohan stated, but she cautioned that this uptick is largely attributed to inflationary pricing rather than an actual increase in consumer volume.

Families like Mary Hawks’ continue to uphold the cherished tradition of Black Friday shopping. Hawks, a Baldwinsville resident, explained, “It’s something we’ve done every Black Friday since the beginning. It’s just nice to continue it on with the younger generation.”

Kohan emphasized that shoppers are becoming more discerning this year, focusing on value and utilizing technology to enhance their shopping experience. “There’s been a significant increase in the use of buy now, pay later options, cashback apps, and artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT,” she noted.

A word of caution comes from Kohan: shoppers should act quickly on promotional items to avoid stockouts later in the season. “Many retailers have reduced their stock keeping units (SKUs), which may lead to more out-of-stocks as we progress through the holiday season,” she warned.

Amidst the hustle, shoppers expressed their enthusiasm for the deals and the festive atmosphere, snow or not. Douglas remarked, “The little bit of snow we’re going to get is no big deal. We live in upstate New York as it is.” Hawks added, “If you get a chance to come to this mall, do it because it’s worth it.”

As the holiday shopping season heats up, Kohan anticipates that electronics, toys, apparel—including jewelry and beauty products—will dominate consumer wish lists. Retailers are bracing for a busy season, with many families planning to continue their shopping traditions into Small Business Saturday.

With the holiday shopping frenzy officially underway, all eyes will be on consumer behavior and spending patterns as we move closer to Christmas. Stay tuned for further updates on shopping trends and market developments this season.