The shopping frenzy that is Black Friday is upon us once again, with the equally intense Cyber Monday also just around the corner.
The results of a recent survey from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) suggests folks will be dropping a heap of cash on various bargains spotted both online and in stores during the sales event.
The ICSC’s Thanksgiving Weekend Intentions survey for 2020 found that 85 percent of people plan to shop in the period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, with each spending an average of $470. Specifically, 72 percent plan to shop on Black Friday, while 73 percent are likely to shop on Cyber Monday.
Among those intent on diving into their wallet this weekend, 44 percent said they’ll likely spend more than they did last year, suggesting they’re keen for a little extra shopping therapy after such a challenging year.
Coronavirus concerns mean that online shopping sites are certain to perform strongly in the coming days. The survey’s results appear to bear this out, with only 69 percent of the 1,002 U.S.-based respondents indicating they’ll be heading out to a store in the coming days, down from 84 percent in 2019.
The ICSC points out, however, that the dip can also be put down to many retailers launching promotions earlier than usual in a bid to avoid an overcrowded shopping weekend that could lead to further COVID-19 infections. Indeed, 43 percent of the respondents said they will be buying fewer items than usual over the next couple of days because they’ve already snapped up some bargains during these recent promotions. Shoppers may also be persuaded to stay home in response to action taken by some retailers to limit store access as part of measures to ensure social distancing.
“Thanksgiving weekend will look different this year due to the pandemic, but consumers will still spend time shopping for holiday gifts and items,” said Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC.
So, if you have some spare cash and are on the lookout for a bargain — or you simply want some inspiration on what to grab over the coming days — then Digital Trends has you covered. Our homepage is showing the best deals available on a huge range of tech products for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, allowing for a relaxing shopping experience from the comfort of your favorite armchair.
