Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas topped Black Friday and became the biggest shopping day in U.S. retail history, according to Bloomberg.
According to Customer Growth Partners, a retail research firm, the total sales on Dec. 21 reached $34.4 billion, 10 percent higher than the $31.2 billion for Black Friday.
On Dec. 24, many shoppers were still hitting the stores in the busy shopping district in Manhattan for some last-minute gift shopping. “It’s hectic, every year it’s hectic,” said Amie McEvoy, “I’m not going to be done probably till about midnight tonight.”
Some of them are trying to take advantage of the many discount offers. “Like you see, Forever 21 has 50% off right here, storewide,” said Lauren Dahan, pointing at the Forever 21 store on 34th Street and 7th Avenue.
One reason for the record number is likely the short holiday season this year—It’s six days shorter than last year. People are trying to make the last few days count.
Another reason is that with steady economic expansion, people are making more money, getting new jobs or better-paying jobs.
“I actually got a better job which led me to spend more,” said McEvoy.
John Evanoff and his family came from New Jersey to the Big Apple for some shopping and entertainment. “We’re going to go to the Rockettes show here for the 2 o’clock show, then we’re going to go see the tree. And then, we’ll have some dinner and then go back home.”
Evanoff said they spent much more this year on holiday shopping. “We blew our budget. We totally went right past that. Yeah, it’s like whatever, I bought myself like a $12,000 gift,” said Evanoff.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts people will be spending 4 percent more than last year, that’s $1,048 on average this holiday season.
