Offers Attract US Black Friday Buyers, Biggest Online Sales

NEW YORK / PITTSBURG (Reuters) – Black Friday has created long queues at point-of-sale stores to take advantage of significant discounts on clothing and electronics, proving that it's a good thing. A healthy economy and rising wages translate into an increase in consumer spending by retailers' make-or-break holiday season.

"I spend more, the mood is generally more optimistic," said Sharon Neidert, 57, visiting New York since Ohio. "My daughter has moved this year so my disposable income is more important," said Neidert, director of a software company.

While online sales were up sharply and traffic appeared healthy in discount stores, the details of holiday balances will only be available in several days.

"Overall, Black Friday no longer has the same sense of urgency as in the past and instead gives the impression of a busy weekend day in many stores," Telsey's Dana Telsey said. Advisory Group.

"Many promotions have been available for two weeks," Telsey said. "We have not noticed the desperation of any retailer."

Shares of US department stores Macy's Inc., Kohl's Corp., JC Penney Co Inc. and Target Corp all fell 1 to 3% on Friday and weighed on the overall S & P 500 retail index, down 0.15%.

Investors fear that retail trade will peak in the second quarter and activity will slow as comparisons tighten, said Brian Yarbrough, retail analyst at Edward Jones.

L Brands, Walmart Inc, owner of Victoria's Secret, and American Eagle Outfitters are among the top winners, up 0.5 to 3%.

STRONG ONLINE SALE

Buyers spent $ 643 million online at 10 am ET on Black Friday, as smartphone sales increased overall online spend by 28% over the previous year, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at home. 80 of the 100 largest US online retailers.

Online spending is expected to reach $ 6.4 billion on Friday, which should equal or surpass the $ 6.6 billion in Cyber ​​Monday's business figure last year, said Adobe . Online sales on Thanksgiving Day rose 28% to $ 3.7 billion.

According to forecasts by the National Retail Federation, US holiday retail sales in November and December will increase by 4.3% to 4.8% over 2017, reaching a total of $ 717.45 billion. dollars to 720.89 billion dollars. This compares with an average annual increase of 3.9% over the last five years.

About 38 percent of US consumers plan to shop on Black Friday, and six in ten expect to make at least half of their holiday purchases that day, a Reuters / Ipsos poll found last week.

FRENZY DEAL

Buyers bought expensive items, such as TVs, Apple Inc. iPads and Watches at Target, while phones, toys, game consoles and cookware were the top-selling products at Walmart Inc.

Some of the offers:

– H & M store in Manhattan offers 30% off everything in store and online.

– Macy's, located in Herald Square, Manhattan, sold a Coach brand purse, originally worth $ 225, for $ 53.

– Midtown Comics took up to 25% off at its Manhattan sites.

– An Eddie Bauer in Chicago offered 50% off all items.

– In a Pandora located in the Chicago area, which makes popular charm bracelets that can cost up to $ 1,000, the jewelry had 35% off before 10 am and 25% for the rest of the day.

– The crew clothes were at 50% discount Its site had some technical difficulties before going up.

– Walmart was selling a Google Home mini for $ 99.

– Buy one and get free pajamas at Victoria's Secret.

Charlotte Jackson, from London, comes to New York with her mother to shop at Black Friday.

"At home, Black Friday is not such a big deal," said Jackson, a 27-year-old tax consultant, when he bought lingerie and pajamas at Victoria's Secret.

MORE TOYS AT THE TARGET, JC PENNEY

Many retailers, reacting to the bankruptcy of Toys 'R' Us, are talking to parents.

Target announced in October its intention to devote nearly 250,000 m² of new premises to its toy business in 500 of its stores. Customers at the discount chain will also be able to purchase more than 2,500 new exclusive toys, "said Mark Tritton, Target's Derivatives Manager.

'Toys' R & # 39; Us had better quality for toys, "said Ashley Drew, 29, purchasing her 5-year-old daughter in a Los Angeles area Walmart, right next to the empty shell of a Toys & # Store 39; R & # 39; Us.

The department store JC Penney Co Inc., known for its mid-priced clothing, also made a breakthrough in toys.

Carolyn Pertette of Wilkinsburg, Pa., Made her early morning shopping at the Waterfront Mall in Pittsburgh. She said she was upset with the closure of Toys 'R' Us.

"I wonder where I'm going to get toys for the kids," she said.

Just before 6 am Friday, shoppers knocked on the door of a Bath & Body Works store at the Pittsburgh Waterfront Mall, queuing to buy candles, soaps and lotions at a discounted price, while Long queues were forming at the counter of the crate of a Dick's shopping center Sporting Goods store.

There was little evidence of the frenzied frenzy of black Friday vending years, in other parts of the country, especially in the northeast, where the crowd was lean due to the cold weather.

An Athleta clothing store located in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, provided hot chocolate with marshmallows to women queuing for the locker room.