Black Friday in the United States: Long lines, inflation-hit prices and record sales forecasts

The holiday season begins with Thanksgiving, and the shopping season with Black Friday. All economic forecasts suggest that this is the season of record sales. Between November and December 2021, Americans spent $858 billionAccording to the National Retail Federation (NRF for its acronym in English). it means increase 10,5% compared to the expenditure incurred in the same period last year. Average, $785 will be spent on gifts per family this holiday season.

The increase in sales, according to experts, is due to the fact that Americans started holiday shopping earlier this year, According to the NRF, in early August. However, there are traditions that never change and The day when the largest number of shoppers take to the streets is the last Friday of November, which is known as Black Friday.

But in this special 2021, The discount will not be as great as in other years. For starters, there is a record inflation in the country and it increased the prices of absolutely everything. But at the same time, in the post-pandemic world (if such a thing exists), a year is coming to an end that This has been less attractive and more expensive for merchants, which does not encourage them to downgrade products.

what is known as the great renunciation (US workers have left their jobs in numbers never seen before) have done so to retain employees or find new talent, Businesses are forced to increase the wages they provide, which increases costs.

Factory closures and a shortage of truck drivers during the pandemic, along with problems at California ports, have also increased costs for businesses. For example, the famous clothing brand Gap has announced that it will spend $450 million on air shipping this yearBecause of not being able to rely on other means of transport. In addition, the clothing brand lost $650 million in sales due to problems in the distribution chain, as just reported.

But 2021 has another peculiarity. Consumers continue to spend, despite consumer confidence at its lowest level in ten years, according to a University of Michigan study.

After a 2020 in which the lowest intensity Black Friday was recorded in the past 20 years, Businesses decided to extend offers this year beyond Friday, From the beginning of the week and during the weekend you can avail the discount.

But today there is no work for the vast majority in the country, and they will take advantage of this by buying in large quantities. Between 5 and 7 in the morning, he opened most of the shops across the country. And by that time there were already long lines at major stores like Best Buy or Walmart, where most shoppers look for appliances.

In cities such as Miami, where the weather is good, there have been reports lines of up to 100 people Outside big box stores. At malls like Dolphin Mall or Sawgrass Mills, it can take more than an hour for cars to queue looking for parking.

For many, Black Friday outweighs the opportunities that can also be found online, but it’s a Enjoy the tradition and standing in line And meet other shopping enthusiasts.

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