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Tag: Holiday shopping

  • Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in November

    NEW YORK — Shoppers increased their spending in November from October as holiday shopping kicked into full gear.

    Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in November, following a revised 0.1% decline October, according to the Commerce Department. The report was delayed more than a month because of the 43-day government shutdown.

    Retail sales rose 0.1% increase in September, but jumped 0.6% in July and August and 1% in June.

    The federal government is gradually catching up on economic reports that were postponed by the shutdown.

    Sales at clothing and accessories stores rose 0.9%, while online businesses had a 0.4% increase. Business at sporting goods and hobby stores was up 1.9%.

    The snapshot offers only a partial look at consumer spending and doesn’t include many services, including travel and hotel lodges. But the lone services category – restaurants – registered an uptick of 0.6%.

    The report comes as 41,000 attendees from retailers, brands and technology companies gathered for the annual three-day National Retail Federation convention. With shoppers growing anxious about high prices and impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as well as a souring job market, the outlook for shopping for this year was a key issue that dominated discussions.

    The industry wrapped up a solid holiday shopping season, based on early data, but many consumers, particularly from the lower income households, remain financially strained.

    Hiring has generally been weak, which could hurt consumer spending and the broader economy for 2026.

    Inflation cooled a bit last month as prices for gas and used cars fell, a sign that stubbornly elevated cost pressures are slowly easing, according to a report from the Labor Department Tuesday.

    Consumer prices rose 0.3% in December from the prior month, the same as in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2%, also matching November’s figure. Increases at that pace, over time, would bring inflation closer to the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%.

    Many economists had predicted inflation to jump last month as the government resumed normal data collection after the six-week shutdown last fall, so the modest increases that matched the November figures came as a relief. The price of manufactured goods was flat in December, a sign that the impact of tariffs may be starting to fade.

    The National Retail Federation is predicting retail sales in November and December grew between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024. That translates to total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion. By comparison, holiday sales for 2024 rose 4.3% over 2023 to reach $976.1 billion.

    The trade group will not be coming out with official sales results for the November and December period until next month when the government reports December retail figures.

    Lululemon Athletica said on Monday that it anticipates fourth-quarter profit and revenue to come in at the high end of its previously released outlook, helped by a solid holiday shopping season. And Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said on Monday that both its Hollister and Abercrombie fared well during the holiday season.

    A better picture of holiday spending will come next month when Walmart, Target and other major retailers report results.

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  • More thrifting and fewer returns, the early trends that defined shopping this holiday

    NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right.

    Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

    But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

    And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying. That may explain why returns so far are down compared with last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.

    Here are three trends that defined the holiday shopping season so far:

    Americans are still spending on gifts, yet increasingly that shopping is taking place at thrift and discount stores, according to data from Placer.ai.

    That’s likely forcing traditional retailers such as department stores to fight harder for customers, Placer.ai said.

    Clothing and electronics that traditionally dominate holiday sales did have a surge but struggled to grow, according to Placer.ai. Both goods are dominated by imports and thus, vulnerable to tariffs.

    For example, traffic doubled in department stores during the week before Christmas, from Dec. 15 through Sunday, compared with the average shopping week this year. But traffic in the week before Christmas this year fell 13.2% compared with 2024.

    Traffic surged 61% at traditional sellers of only clothing in the week before the holiday compared with the rest of the year. But again, compared with the runup to Christmas last year, sales slid 9%.

    Some of that lost traffic may have migrated to the so-called off-price stores— chains like TJ Maxx. That sector had a sharp seasonal traffic bump of 85.1% and a gain of 1.2% in the week before the holiday.

    But it was thrift stores that were red hot, with traffic jumping nearly 11% in the week before Christmas compared with last year.

    “Whether hunting for a designer deal or uncovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, consumers increasingly favored discovery-driven experiences over the standardized assortments of traditional retail,” Shira Petrack, head of content at Placer.ai, said in a blog post Friday.

    In the past it may have seemed gauche to gift your mother a gently used sweater or a pair of pants from a local thrift store, but seemingly not so amid all of the economic uncertainty and rising prices, according to Placer.ai.

    Through the second half of 2025, thrift stores have seen at least a 10% increases in traffic compared with last year. That suggests that environmental concerns as well as economic issues are luring more Americans to second-hand stores, Placer.ai said. Visits to thrift stores generally do not take off during the holidays, yet in the most recent Black Friday weekend, sales jumped 5.5%, Placer.ai. reported.

    In November, as customer traffic in traditional apparel stores fell more than 3%, traffic in thrift stores soared 12.7%, according to Placer.ai.

    The thrift migration has altered the demographics of second-hand stores. The average household income of thrift customers hit $75,000 during October and November of this year, a slight uptick from $74,900 last year, $74,600 in 2023 well above the average income of 74,100 in 2022, based on demographic data from STI:PopStats combined with Placer.ai data.

    U.S. sales at thrift chain Savers Value Village’s rose 10.5% in the three months ended Sept. 27 and the momentum continued through October, store executives said in late October.

    “High household income cohort continues to become a larger portion of our consumer mix,” CEO Mark Walsh told analysts. “It’s trade down for sure, and our younger cohort also continues to grow in numbers. ”

    For the first six weeks of the holiday season, return rates have dipped from the same period a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics.

    That suggests that shoppers are doing more research before adding something to their shopping list, and they’re being more disciplined in sticking to the lists they create, according to Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights.

    “I think it’s very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased,” Pandya said. “Many of them are being very specific with how they spend their budget.”

    From Nov. 1 to Dec. 12, returns fell 2.5% compared with last year, Adobe reported. In the seven days following Cyber Week — the five shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, returns fell 0.1%.

    From the Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, online sales rose 6% to $187.3 billion, on track to surpass its outlook for the season, Adobe reported.

    Between Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, returns are expected to rise by 25% to 35% compared with returns between Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, Adobe said, and it expects returns to remain elevated through the first two weeks of January, up 8% to 15%.

    This is the first year that Adobe has tracked returns.

    Still, the last week of December sees the greatest concentration of returns: one out of every eight returns in the 2024 holiday season took place between Dec. 26 and Dec 31, a trend expected to persist this year, Adobe said.

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  • US drivers are seeing lower gas prices this holiday season

    This holiday season, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices.

    According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Monday.

    That figure has inched up slightly since, sitting at closer to $2.86 a gallon Tuesday — but overall, consumers hitting the road ahead of the Christmas holiday will likely continue to see mild prices.

    As always, some states have cheaper averages than others, due to factors ranging from nearby refinery supply to local fuel requirements. Hawaii had the highest average of about $4.44 a gallon on Tuesday, per AAA — followed by $4.30 in California and $3.92 in Washington. Meanwhile, Oklahoma had the lowest average at about $2.30 per gallon, followed by nearly $2.42 in both Arkansas and Iowa.

    Still, nationwide, unleaded gasoline is down more than 18 cents than it was at this time last year, and 21 cents from a month ago. So far, AAA says that prices seen this month mark the cheapest December for gas prices since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic roiled the economy.

    The travel organization notes that this month’s cheaper prices arrive as supply remains strong. Crude oil, the main ingredient in gasoline, has also been at a relatively mild level — with West Texas Intermediate remaining below the $60 per barrel mark for most of December.

    Relief at the pump is welcome for consumers who have been feeling higher prices in other parts of their budgets — as worries about the costs of goods ranging from groceries to holiday gifts rise amid ongoing inflation and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign imports.

    Government data actually showed that consumer prices cooled in November, rising at just 2.7% from a year earlier. But year-over-year inflation still remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target — and economists quickly warned that last month’s numbers were suspect because of delays and possible distortions from the 43-day federal shutdown.

    Most Americans have continued to express anger and frustration about the high cost of living — as well as an uncertain job market. On Tuesday, the Conference Board said that its consumer confidence index fell in December to its lowest level since April.

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  • Visa: Sales are up 4.2% for first 7 weeks of the holiday period; pace lags last year

    NEW YORK — Consumers stepped up their spending, particularly on items like gadgets and clothing, for the first seven weeks of the holiday shopping period. But the pace was slower than a year ago amid worries about higher prices and other economic concerns, according to new data from Visa released Tuesday.

    From Nov. 1 through Sunday, holiday sales rose 4.2%, a slower clip from the 4.8% increase during the same period a year ago, according to the company’s Visa Consulting & Analytics division, which analyzed a subset of Visa payments network data in the U.S.

    The figure includes all methods of payment including cash and card.

    The data, which exclude sales from auto dealerships, gas stations, and restaurants, are not adjusted for inflation including the impact from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

    When adjusted, retail sales rose a more modest 2.2% for that time frame, according to Visa’s principal U.S. economist Michael Brown. That compares to the inflation-adjusted 3% sales gain last year.

    “It’s certainly not a spectacular season,” Brown told The Associated Press. “It’s sort of an average holiday season given concerns about macro economic growth, inflation. There’s still a lot of uncertainty among the consumer population.”

    Retailers have described shoppers as being selective when making holiday purchases, choosing to focus on gifts for under the tree instead of holiday decor like ornaments for the tree, for example. Many households are struggling with higher prices in groceries, rent and imported goods hit by tariffs. The latest job report, released by the Labor Department last week, also shows a souring employment picture.

    As a result, consumers’ mood has been gloomy, though it improved last month as worries about inflation eased a bit, according to the University of Michigan.

    When all the numbers are in, Visa expects holiday sales data will more or less be in line with its prediction of a 4.6% sales increase for the November and December period combined.

    Still to come are several of the holiday shopping season’s top 10 busiest days including Tuesday, the day after Christmas and the Saturday after Christmas, according to Sensormatic, which tracks retail foot traffic.

    The Visa data is in line with the forecast from the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail industry trade group. It expects sales over November and December of between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion. That would be up 3.7% to 4.2% over last year.

    Predicting the shopping season has been challenging as the 43-day federal government shutdown delayed economic reports including those covering monthly retail sales figures. The federal government is gradually catching up.

    Last week, the Commerce Department reported that sales at U.S. retailers and restaurants were unchanged in October from September in a report delayed by more than a month. A big drag on October data was a drop in sales at motor vehicles and auto parts dealerships, hurt by the expiration of federal government subsidies that sliced demand for battery-powered electric cars.

    According to Visa, e-commerce sales rose 7.8% for the first seven weeks of the period, fueled by promotions that started early in the season.

    Still, shopping at physical stores dominates — 73% of holiday payment volume was in physical stores, while 27% of retail spending happened online, Visa said.

    Sales at general merchandise stores, or big discounters like Target and Walmart that sell all types of merchandise, rose 3.7%, Visa said.

    Electronics have emerged as the hottest category, with sales rising 5.8% during this time frame, fueled in part by devices, powered by artificial intelligence, Visa said.

    Tariffs played a key role in how shoppers bought, Brown said.

    Clothing and accessories sales accelerated at a 5.3% pace from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21 from a 4.1% increase last year. The category wasn’t as affected by tariffs as other areas like holiday home decor, which is predominantly made in China, Brown said. That category saw a slim 0.8% sales gain.

    And a still weak housing market hurt sales of home improvement items like building materials and garden accessories, which recorded a 1% sales increase, Visa said.

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  • Warnings about squishy gel fidget toys | Consumer Reports

    THE TWO SUSPECTS ARE STILL ON THE RUN. IF YOUR KIDS LOVE THOSE SQUISHY FIDGET TOYS LIKE THIS ONE, THE ONES THEY CAN KIND OF SQUEEZE FOR STRESS RELIEF OR TO HELP THEM FOCUS. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK BECAUSE THE NEW CONSUMER REPORTS INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT SOME OF THESE TOYS CAN ACTUALLY BREAK OPEN WHEN THEY’RE SQUEEZED. KCRA 3’S LEE ANNE DENYER SHOWS US HOW THE MATERIAL INSIDE COULD IRRITATE THE SKIN OR EVEN CAUSE CHEMICAL BURNS. LOVED BY KIDS, THESE BRIGHT, COLORFUL, SQUISHY BALLS ARE OFTEN MARKETED AS CALMING SENSORY TOOLS, BUT MANY PARENTS ARE SEEING A TREND. HUNDREDS OF ONE STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON REPORTING THE TOYS POPPED WITHIN AN HOUR OR BROKE WITHIN TWO HOURS OF PLAYING WITH IT. PARENTS HAVE REPORTED THE STICKY GEL FROM SOME TOYS HAS LEFT KIDS WITH RED, IRRITATED OR EVEN PEELING SKIN. REPORTS FILED WITH THE FEDERAL SAFER PRODUCTS. GOV SITE CLAIM THAT CHILDREN SUFFERED SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION AFTER THEIR SQUISHY TOYS BURST OPEN. BREAKAGE ALONE IS A CONCERN. BUT WHEN WE SAW REPORTS OF KIDS WITH RED OR PEELING SKIN AND EVEN CHEMICAL BURN LIKE INJURIES, THAT REALLY RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS, AND IT MADE US WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE OF THESE COMPANIES. DON’T HAVE TO LIST THE INGREDIENTS OF WHAT’S INSIDE THESE SQUISHY TOYS. SOME DO AND SOME DON’T. THAT’S WHY KR SCIENTISTS DECIDED TO TEST SOME OF THESE POPULAR SQUISHY TOYS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S INSIDE. SCIENTISTS BOUGHT EIGHT SQUISHY GEL TOYS, BROKE THEM OPEN, AND TESTED THE PH OF THE GEL INSIDE. SEVEN HAD A NEUTRAL PH. ONE OF THEM, THE NEATO GROOVY GLOB, HAD A PH LEVEL OF TWO, WHICH IS AS ACIDIC AS LEMON JUICE OR VINEGAR. SEE, OUR SAFETY EXPERTS SAY THAT THE LEVEL OF ACIDITY COULD POSE A RISK OF CHEMICAL BURNS, ESPECIALLY ON CHILDREN’S DELICATE SKIN. THE MAKER OF NIDO CHALLENGED CONSUMER REPORTS PH TEST RESULTS AND SAYS THAT THE INNER GEL IS MADE OF POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, WHICH IS SAFER FOR SKIN CONTACT. THE COMPANY ADDED THAT THEY’VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE CPSC AND THAT AFTER THE SALE OF 100 MILLION NIDO TOYS, THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN FOUR REPORTS OF INCIDENTS TO THE CPSC. TIKTOK TRENDS HAVE ALSO BEEN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO MICROWAVE SQUISHY TOYS TO MAKE THEM SOFTER. NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO THIS. CONSUMER REPORTS FOUND SOME TOYS EXPLODED AFTER JUST 15 SECONDS, REACHING TEMPERATURES ABOVE 200 DEGREES AT THAT TEMPERATURE, EXPERTS WARN. INSTANT BURNS ARE LIKELY. THESE GEL TOYS CAN BE A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO USE THEM SAFELY. NEVER MICROWAVE OR FREEZE THEM. DON’T LEAVE THEM IN THE CAR. DON’T GIVE GEL FILLED TOYS TO BABIES OR TODDLERS. AND IF ONE DOES BREAK ON YOUR CHILD’S SKIN, WASH IT OFF RIGHT AWAY AND THROW OUT THE TOY. LEE ANNE DENYER KCRA THREE NEWS. I HAVE TO SAY, AFTER BORROWING THIS FROM OUR PRODUCER, SARAH, IT IS QUITE LOVELY. CAN I TRY? YEAH. OK

    Warnings about squishy gel fidget toys | Consumer Reports

    Updated: 6:59 PM PST Dec 19, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    If your kids love those soft, squishy fidget toys, the ones you squeeze for stress relief, you might want to take a closer look. A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some of these toys can break open and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.Loved by kids, the bright, colorful squishy balls are often marketed as calming sensory tools. But many parents are seeing a trend: hundreds of one-star reviews on Amazon reporting the toys “popped within an hour,” or “broke within two hours of playing with it.”Parents have reported that the sticky gel from some toys has left kids with red, irritated, or even peeling skin.Reports filed with the federal SaferProducts.gov site claim that children suffered severe skin irritation after their squishy toys burst open.Breakage alone is a concern, but when you saw reports of kids with red, or peeling, or even chemical-burn-like injuries, that really raised serious questions, and it made us want to take a look at what’s inside these.Companies don’t have to list the ingredients of what’s inside these squishy toys. Some do, and some don’t. That’s why CR scientists decided to test some of these popular squishy toys to learn more about what’s inside.Scientists bought eight squishy toys, broke them open and tested the pH of the gel inside. Seven had a neutral pH. One of them, the Nee-Doh “Groovy Glob,” had a pH level of 2, as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar.CR safety experts say that level of acidity could pose a risk of chemical burns, especially on children’s delicate skin.Schylling, the maker of Nee-Doh, challenged Consumer Reports’ pH test results and says that the inner gel is made of polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for skin contact. The company added that they’ve been in contact with the CPSC and that after the sale of 100 million Nee-Doh toys, there have only been four reports of incidents to the CPSC.TikTok trends have also been encouraging people to microwave squishy toys to make them softer. No one should ever do this. Consumer Reports found that some toys exploded after just 15 seconds, reaching temperatures above 200 degrees. At that temperature, experts warn, instant burns are likely.The gel toys can be a lot of fun, but it’s important for kids to use them safely. Never microwave or freeze. Don’t leave them in the car. Don’t give gel-filled toys to babies or toddlers.And if one does break on your child’s skin, wash it off right away and throw out the toy.You can read Consumer Reports’ full investigation, including safety tips and responses from regulators at CR.org.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    If your kids love those soft, squishy fidget toys, the ones you squeeze for stress relief, you might want to take a closer look. A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some of these toys can break open and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.

    Loved by kids, the bright, colorful squishy balls are often marketed as calming sensory tools. But many parents are seeing a trend: hundreds of one-star reviews on Amazon reporting the toys “popped within an hour,” or “broke within two hours of playing with it.”

    Parents have reported that the sticky gel from some toys has left kids with red, irritated, or even peeling skin.

    Reports filed with the federal SaferProducts.gov site claim that children suffered severe skin irritation after their squishy toys burst open.

    Breakage alone is a concern, but when you saw reports of kids with red, or peeling, or even chemical-burn-like injuries, that really raised serious questions, and it made us want to take a look at what’s inside these.

    Companies don’t have to list the ingredients of what’s inside these squishy toys. Some do, and some don’t. That’s why CR scientists decided to test some of these popular squishy toys to learn more about what’s inside.

    Scientists bought eight squishy toys, broke them open and tested the pH of the gel inside. Seven had a neutral pH. One of them, the Nee-Doh “Groovy Glob,” had a pH level of 2, as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar.

    CR safety experts say that level of acidity could pose a risk of chemical burns, especially on children’s delicate skin.

    Schylling, the maker of Nee-Doh, challenged Consumer Reports’ pH test results and says that the inner gel is made of polyvinyl alcohol, which is safe for skin contact. The company added that they’ve been in contact with the CPSC and that after the sale of 100 million Nee-Doh toys, there have only been four reports of incidents to the CPSC.

    TikTok trends have also been encouraging people to microwave squishy toys to make them softer. No one should ever do this. Consumer Reports found that some toys exploded after just 15 seconds, reaching temperatures above 200 degrees. At that temperature, experts warn, instant burns are likely.

    The gel toys can be a lot of fun, but it’s important for kids to use them safely. Never microwave or freeze. Don’t leave them in the car. Don’t give gel-filled toys to babies or toddlers.

    And if one does break on your child’s skin, wash it off right away and throw out the toy.

    You can read Consumer Reports’ full investigation, including safety tips and responses from regulators at CR.org.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Shoppers spend billions on Black Friday to snag holiday deals, despite wider economic uncertainty

    NEW YORK — Despite wider economic uncertainty hovering above this year’s holiday season, shoppers turned out in big numbers for Black Friday — spending billions of dollars both in stores and online.

    Adobe Analytics, which tracks e-commerce, said U.S. consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online Friday, marking a 9.1% jump from last year. Traffic particularly piled up between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time nationwide, when $12.5 million passed through online shopping carts every minute.

    Consumers also spent a record $6.4 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, per Adobe. Top categories that saw an uptick in sales across both days included video game consoles, electronics and home appliances. Shopping services powered by artificial intelligence and social media advertising have also particularly influenced what consumers choose to buy, the firm said.

    Meanwhile, software company Salesforce estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $18 billion in the U.S. and $79 billion globally. And e-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $6.2 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $5.1 million per minute — with top categories including cosmetics and clothing, according to the Canadian company.

    Black Friday is far from the sales event that created midnight mall crowds or doorbuster mayhem just decades ago. More and more consumers have instead turned to online deals to make post-Thanksgiving purchases from the comfort of their own homes — or opt to stretch out spending across longer promotions now offered by retailers.

    As a result, in-store traffic has continued to dwindle. Initial data from RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in physical stores, found that U.S. Black Friday traffic fell 3.6% from 2024.

    But “the story isn’t just that shoppers stayed home; it’s that they’re changing how and when they shop,” Joe Shasteen, global manager of advanced analytics at RetailNext said in emailed comments on Saturday. He explained that customers are now spreading out purchases over a longer time frame and “walking into stores with a far narrower mission than we’ve seen in past holiday seasons.”

    Black Friday remains a major date on retailers’ calendar — and Shasteen added that Friday’s drop is “notably better” than a sharper 6.2% decline RetailNext saw in in-store traffic for the days leading up to Thanksgiving. This indicates that, while shoppers remain cautious and are pulling back on in-store spending overall, “they’re still willing to show up for the biggest promotional moments,” he said.

    Experts expect heightened holiday spending to continue through the weekend. In terms of e-commerce, Adobe expects U.S. shoppers to spend another $5.5 billion Saturday and $5.9 billion on Sunday — before reaching an estimated $14.2 billion peak on Cyber Monday, which would mark yet another record.

    Still, rising prices could be contributing to some of those numbers. U.S. President Donald Trump’s barrage of tariffs on foreign imports have strained businesses and households alike over the last year. And despite spending more overall, Salesforce found U.S. shoppers purchased fewer items at checkout on Black Friday (down 2% from last year). Order volumes also slipped 1%, the firm noted, as average selling prices climbed 7%.

    This year’s holiday spending rush arrives amid heightened economic uncertainty for consumers. Beyond tariffs, workers across public and private sectors are also struggling with anxieties over job security — amid both corporate layoffs and the after-effects of the 43-day government shutdown.

    For the November-December holiday season overall, the National Retail Federation estimates U.S. shoppers will spend more than $1 trillion for the first time this year. But the rate of growth is slowing — with an anticipated increase of 3.7% to 4.2% year over year, compared to 4.3% in 2024’s holiday season.

    At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies on other short-term loans have been rising. And more and more shoppers are turning to “buy now, pay later” plans, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items.

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  • Poll: Virginians plan to spend less this holiday season as prices, job market weigh on budgets – WTOP News

    Virginians plan to dial back holiday spending this year, trimming budgets by about 5% even as the broader economy shows strong growth, according to a new Institute for Policy and Opinion Research survey at Roanoke College.

    This article was reprinted with permission from Virginia Mercury. 

    Virginians plan to dial back holiday spending this year, trimming budgets by about 5% even as the broader economy shows strong growth, according to a new Institute for Policy and Opinion Research survey at Roanoke College.

    The poll found that households expect to spend an average of $1,035 this season in Virginia — down from last year — and they’re shifting how they spend, putting more toward gifts while cutting back on personal purchases and experiences.

    That pattern echoes national signals of caution. According to the latest Gallup poll, Americans expect to spend about $1,007 on holiday gifts this year, nearly unchanged from the $1,014 forecast last year.

    Meanwhile, the Deloitte 2025 Holiday Retail Survey found U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $1,595, a 10% drop from 2024, indicating restraint in spending on goods and experiences.

    A shift toward “core” holiday spending

    The Roanoke College survey, conducted Nov. 9–14 among 912 Virginians, shows a clear recalibration.

    Planned spending on gifts is up 10.6%, while personal, non-gift purchases — such as apparel, electronics and home décor — are down 16.5%. Spending on experiences like dining out and entertainment is down 19.6%.

    That shift toward essential holiday traditions mirrors national patterns: consumers preserving the emotional center of the season while scaling back discretionary extras.

    Analysts attribute this to price pressure, job market concerns and tariff-driven cost increases.

    “Holiday spending plans reflect a balancing act between optimism and caution,” said Dr. Alice Louise Kassens, senior analyst for IPOR and dean of Roanoke College’s School of Business, Economics, and Analytics.

    “While the economy shows strong headline growth, households are tightening overall budgets, reallocating dollars toward gifts and away from non-essential purchases and experiences.”

    Income brackets also shape spending expectations in Virginia.

    Fewer households plan to spend between $100 and $500; instead more are at the low end (under $100) or high end (more than $1,000). Lower-income households are concentrated in lower spending tiers, while higher-income Virginians more often expect to spend above $1,000.

    Strong GDP, softer labor market

    The new survey arrives against a complex economic backdrop.

    National GDP growth remains strong: the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow model estimates annualized quarterly growth at 4%. That underscores consumer spending’s role — roughly 70% of the total economy.

    Yet households may not feel that strength. Year-over-year inflation is at about 3%, and labor-market indicators are showing softening relative to 2024.

    Those conditions align with national consumer-sentiment readings. While spending intentions remain elevated, confidence is cautious. Tariffs are adding cost pressure in import-heavy categories such as apparel and electronics — items Virginia households say they’re cutting back on.

    In fact, “the continued shift to online shopping, accounting for more than half of planned holiday purchases, underscores consumers’ desire for convenience and value in a season marked by uncertainty. For small businesses, this trend highlights the importance of digital presence and competitive pricing to capture holiday demand,” Kassens said.

    Digital continues its climb

    Digital shopping is now the dominant channel in Virginia. The IPOR poll found that 56% of planned holiday purchases will happen online, up four points from 2024.

    That mirrors national retail-industry forecasts: in the U.S., the National Retail Federation expects total holiday retail sales (excluding autos, gas and restaurants) of $1.01–$1.02 trillion this year — a 3.7%–4.2% rise over 2024. 

    For Virginia retailers, that means refining digital offerings and value messaging could be key. “Consumers are celebrating the season, but with sharper priorities and a watchful eye on costs,” Kassens said.

    Overall, the IPOR survey paints a picture of Virginians trying to reconcile the mixed signals of the current economy. While GDP growth is robust, price levels and job-market clouds are giving households reason to pause.

    Across the country, many shoppers say they plan the same or lower spending compared to last year: Gallup found 56% of Americans expect to spend about the same, 23% less.

    Other national studies capture that same tension. Deloitte’s survey found 77% of respondents expect higher holiday prices and 57% anticipate a weaker economy in 2026.

    Many are employing value-seeking behavior: trading down brands, waiting for deals, and making DIY or handmade gifts.

    “Retailers should anticipate strong demand for early online promotions, streamlined delivery options, and competitive pricing strategies as consumers seek value and efficiency,” Kassens advised.

    Jessica Kronzer

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  • Venezuelans Worried About Economic Turmoil Shun Black Friday Deals

    CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Window displays advertising 30% discounts and shoes for $20 were not enough to draw throngs of bargain hunters this Black Friday to a popular mall in Venezuela’s capital. Even the newly opened H&M store was virtually empty in the morning.

    The country’s suffocating economy, Venezuelans said, not the threats of U.S. military action, is to blame for Friday’s stark contrast to other post-pandemic years when enthusiastic shoppers formed lines outside stores. Years of experiences riding the twists and turns of their country’s complex crisis have taught them to focus on their immediate individual needs, like buying food or medicines, and not the collective long term, like a possible military strike.

    “The country’s economy is based on day-to-day survival. What do I do to survive today and live tomorrow?” physician Luisa Torrealba said outside an appliance store. “We don’t have the luxury of stopping because there’s going to be a war, because there’s a psychological war going on, because the government says one thing or the United States says another.”

    A day earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, by suggesting during a Thanksgiving address to troops that the military could “very soon” begin hitting alleged drug-trafficking targets within the South American country. So far, a monthslong U.S. military operation has killed 80 people in strikes against vessels in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

    Since returning to office, Trump has increased the pressure on Maduro and his allies, including by doubling to $50 million the reward for information that leads to his arrest on narcoterrorism charges. Maduro, who denies the accusations, and his allies have repeatedly said that the U.S. military operation is designed to force a government change in Venezuela.

    But while White House evaluates if and when to strike on Venezuelan soil, the country’s economy continues to suffer and millions of Venezuelans struggle to buy food.

    Families these days need more than $500 to buy the basics for a month. Yet, Venezuela’s monthly minimum wage of 130 bolivars, or $0.52, has not increased since 2022, putting it well below the United Nations’ measure of extreme poverty of $2.15 a day.

    Many public sector workers survive on roughly $160 per month, while the average private sector employee earned about $237, according to the independent Venezuelan Observatory of Finances.

    On Friday, Marian García expected to see a crowd outside a shoe store at the mall in Caracas where she wanted to buy a pair of boots. But she found herself being the first in line.

    The store’s windows promised shoes for $20, an unbeatable deal for García, who had set her eyes on boots that regularly range from $60 to $80, or more than 10% of the monthly combined income with her partner.

    “It’s difficult to indulge in luxuries,” García, 26, said. “Due to the current economic situation, people are cutting back and only spending on the essentials, such as food.”

    Yarbelis Revilla, who works three jobs and considers herself a master bargain hunter, also looked around the mall for deals on shoes. She checked out offers at different stores but in the end felt that many of this year’s Black Friday discounts did not feel like a steal.

    Amid the country’s conditions, Revilla explained that looking for shoes may seem like “vanity,” but she works hard to meet her needs and does not dwell on the future.

    “I am a Christian, and the Bible says, ‘Do not worry. Do not make plans for the future because you won’t really know what’s coming,’” she said.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • ‘The best day of the year’: Black Friday shoppers descend on Potomac Mills – WTOP News

    Nearly three and a half hours before sunrise, there was a line of people waiting outside the JCPenney at Potomac Mills in Winchester, Virginia.

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    Black Friday is more than just sales for these bargain hunters

    Black Friday is the Super Bowl of shopping for bargain hunters.

    Nearly three and a half hours before sunrise, there was a line of people waiting outside the JCPenney at Potomac Mills in Winchester, Virginia.

    Yes, people were looking for deals, but that was not the only reason people stood outside in the cold air, waiting for the store to open at 5 a.m.

    “The sales, getting out around the people,” Beverly Newbell, of Dumfries, said. “And the rush.”

    Several of the people in line were out-of-towners visiting relatives for Thanksgiving, including Rusty and Bill.

    Rusty said this was the first time in the decades of Black Friday shopping that her husband Bill joined her.

    Bill said since they were not home in Charlotte, North Carolina, he didn’t want her to shop alone, and he jokingly said he wanted to keep an eye on how much she was buying.

    ‘The best day of the year’

    Those waiting outside JCPenney were excited because they were handing out free snow globes. This tradition dates back many years, and this year’s theme was Snoopy.

    Kim and her son Oliver, who live close by the store, were two of the first people to get one.

    “It’s Black Friday, it’s the best day of the year,” Kim said.

    Oliver, 12, agreed, saying, “It’s really fun.”

    Of course, the sales are a big part of Black Friday.

    The National Retail Federation predicts nearly 190 million people will shop between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that a lot of people are willing to drive long distances to get a good deal.

    Twinel Bradford drove from Waldorf, Maryland, to Woodbridge, Virginia, because The North Face Outlet had a deal she couldn’t pass up.

    “It’s 60% off today,” Bradford said. “I’m getting two jackets, one for me and one for my daughter.”

    Even though Bradford was waiting in a line that took some an hour and a half to get through.

    “Whew, this line is probably a mile long to stretch it all the way out,” Bradford said, laughing.

    Once the sun was shining on the cold, windy day, the parking lot at Potomac Mills was packed, and walking toward the mall was a pair of newlyweds from Oregon.

    This will be Grace and Zane’s first Christmas as husband and wife, and they may have different priorities when it comes to their idea of the perfect Christmas gift.

    While Grace said she’d love for her friends and family to get them gift cards, Zane smiled and said, “Audi R8.”

    Zane did acknowledge it would be hard to fit under the tree, but his wife had a solution.

    “The keys would fit,” Grace said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Jimmy Alexander

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  • The Neuroscience of Black Friday Can Help You Shop Smarter (or Sell More Stuff)

    I live 5,000 miles away from the U.S. in a country where Thanksgiving is definitely not a thing. But even here in tiny, turkey-free Cyprus, Black Friday is huge. Throughout November and early December just about every retailer on the island touts Black Friday deals to an enthusiastic population.   

    No one has Black Friday off work to go shopping. And most Cypriots have little to no understanding of the day’s original connection to Thanksgiving. There are no traditions or memories attached to the idea. So why are businesses here so keen to adopt the American shopping ritual? 

    The answer isn’t culture, it’s neuroscience. Understanding how our brains respond to Black Friday deals explains their global appeal. It can also help shoppers resist manipulation and save money and regret, and business owners move more merchandise year round. 

    This is your brain on Black Friday deals 

    European shopkeepers haven’t adopted the foreign custom of Black Friday because they love American culture. They do it because it helps them sell more stuff. And it works, apparently, even if customers have no emotional attachment to or even full understanding of the meaning of Black Friday. 

    In a recent piece on The Conversation, neuroscientist Tijl Grootswagers and psychologist Daniel Feurerriegel explain why that is. Normally we weigh purchases slowly and logically, they explain. Do I need this thing? Is it a good value? Would something else be a better buy? We check reviews and our budgets, give these questions a ponder, and then decide. 

    “But when we are put under pressure, that changes. The brain lowers the threshold for how much information it needs before deciding,” they explain. “Time pressure makes us decide faster and with less evidence.” 

    This instinct to make faster decisions under time pressure evolved to help us not spend so much contemplating what to do about the lion hiding behind the next bush that we end up as lunch. But Black Friday retailers have figured out how to hijack it to get you to buy stuff you don’t need or can’t afford.  

    They also lean into the logic-paralyzing power of scarcity. “While we’re browsing for a TV, the website says there are ‘only 8 left in stock,’ and ‘12 people have this item in their carts.’ Suddenly, it feels like a race. Even if you were not planning to buy right away, you might feel more compelled to ‘add to cart’ before it’s too late,” the neuroscientists continue. 

    Time is limited on Black Friday but so, often, are supplies. That further messes with our minds, they add: “When we believe something is in limited supply, we assign it more value.” 

    Under the influence of these various types of pressure, rationality tends to go out the window as we shift into making quick decisions with limited information. That can mean regrets for shoppers, but it counts as a huge success for retailers. 

    Arm yourself with psychological knowledge 

    Black Friday has spread around the world because it is, in the words of Grootswagers and Feurerriegel, a “masterclass in behavioral and brain science.” As I have personally experienced, its signature psychological tricks work far from their original context. 

    That means they can also work year round. Sellers should bear that in mind. Manufacturing urgency and scarcity with limited time offers, limited editions, and warnings that ‘only three remain’ works just as well in sunshine as snow flurries. 

    That’s an opportunity for caution but a warning for consumers. Black Friday, or any sale using similar psychological manipulation to create artificial scarcity and urgency, shortcircuits your brain’s ability to make sensible decisions. 

    If you know you’re being played in this way, however. You’re better placed to slow down, reflect on your true desires and financial position, and make smarter choices. 

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

    Jessica Stillman

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  • US retailers are about to see if Black Friday benefits from a holiday halo effect

    NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday bargains no longer tempt people to leave Thanksgiving tables for midnight mall runs. Brawls in store aisles over toys and TVs with limited-time discounts are spectacles of holidays past. Online shopping and retailers launching discounts weeks before the turkey feast subdued that kind of fervor.

    But the sales event still has enough enthusiasts to make the day after Thanksgiving the one when U.S. stores get the most shoppers coming in the door. For that reason, Black Friday still rules as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

    This year’s kickoff comes as consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell this month in the aftermath of the federal government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation, according to a report The Conference Board issued Tuesday.

    Many retail executives have reported customers becoming more discerning and increasingly focused on deals while at the same time remaining willing to splash out for important occasions like the start of the school year and the winter holidays, creating a halo effect.

    “Consumers have been saying the economy is terrible while continuing to spend for years now, so the outlook is probably better than they are telling us,” Bill Adams, the chief economist at Comerica Bank, said this week of shoppers’ moods heading into Black Friday. “But business surveys also report consumers are being more sensitive to prices and selective in spending.”

    While planning for the holidays in the spring and summer, retail companies were wrestling with the volatility of President Donald Trump ’s wide-ranging tariffs on imported goods. Many accelerated shipments of some merchandise before the tariffs took effect or decided to absorb some of the import tax costs instead of raising prices for customers.

    Market research firm Circana said that 40% of all general merchandise sold in September saw a price increase of at least 5% compared with the first four months of the year.

    Toys, baby products, housewares, and team sports equipment were among the hardest hit categories. For example, 83% of toys sold in September saw an increase of at least 5%, Circana said. Industry group The Toy Association says nearly 80% of the toys sold in the U.S. are made in China, a country the Trump administration hit with especially high tariffs at various points this year.

    Still, analysts and mall executives cited solid momentum heading into Black Friday week. At the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, foot traffic in recent weeks surpassed the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019, said Jill Renslow, the mall’s chief business development and marketing officer.

    “We’re seeing a very positive start to the holiday season,” Renslow said. “The last few Saturdays in November have been very strong.”

    The growth in online sales also has been robust so far. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 23, consumers spent $79.7 billion, according to web tracking and analysis platform Adobe Analytics. That represented a gain of 7.5% from a year earlier and was bigger than Adobe’s 5.3% growth forecast for the season.

    Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all payment methods, predicted a 3.6% increase in holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. That compares with a 4.1% increase last year.

    “Clearly, there’s uncertainty,” Mastercard Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said. “Clearly, consumers feel on edge. But at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s changing how they are showing up for this season.”

    According to Adobe Analytics, Thanksgiving Day was the best time to shop online to get the deepest discount on sporting goods. But Black Friday will be the best time to buy TVs, toys and appliances online.

    Cyber Monday, however, should be the best time to buy apparel and computers. Apparel discounts peaked at 12.2% off the suggested manufacturer’s price between Nov. 1 and Nov. 23 but are expected to hit 25% off on Cyber Monday, Adobe said.

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  • US retailers are about to see if Black Friday benefits from a holiday halo effect

    NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday bargains no longer tempt people to leave Thanksgiving tables for midnight mall runs. Brawls in store aisles over toys and TVs with limited-time discounts are spectacles of holidays past. Online shopping and retailers launching discounts weeks before the turkey feast subdued that kind of fervor.

    But the sales event still has enough enthusiasts to make the day after Thanksgiving the one when U.S. stores get the most shoppers coming in the door. For that reason, Black Friday still rules as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

    This year’s kickoff comes as consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell this month in the aftermath of the federal government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation, according to a report The Conference Board issued Tuesday.

    Many retail executives have reported customers becoming more discerning and increasingly focused on deals while at the same time remaining willing to splash out for important occasions like the start of the school year and the winter holidays, creating a halo effect.

    “Consumers have been saying the economy is terrible while continuing to spend for years now, so the outlook is probably better than they are telling us,” Bill Adams, the chief economist at Comerica Bank, said this week of shoppers’ moods heading into Black Friday. “But business surveys also report consumers are being more sensitive to prices and selective in spending.”

    While planning for the holidays in the spring and summer, retail companies were wrestling with the volatility of President Donald Trump ’s wide-ranging tariffs on imported goods. Many accelerated shipments of some merchandise before the tariffs took effect or decided to absorb some of the import tax costs instead of raising prices for customers.

    Market research firm Circana said that 40% of all general merchandise sold in September saw a price increase of at least 5% compared with the first four months of the year.

    Toys, baby products, housewares, and team sports equipment were among the hardest hit categories. For example, 83% of toys sold in September saw an increase of at least 5%, Circana said. Industry group The Toy Association says nearly 80% of the toys sold in the U.S. are made in China, a country the Trump administration hit with especially high tariffs at various points this year.

    Still, analysts and mall executives cited solid momentum heading into Black Friday week. At the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, foot traffic in recent weeks surpassed the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019, said Jill Renslow, the mall’s chief business development and marketing officer.

    “We’re seeing a very positive start to the holiday season,” Renslow said. “The last few Saturdays in November have been very strong.”

    The growth in online sales also has been robust so far. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 23, consumers spent $79.7 billion, according to web tracking and analysis platform Adobe Analytics. That represented a gain of 7.5% from a year earlier and was bigger than Adobe’s 5.3% growth forecast for the season.

    Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all payment methods, predicted a 3.6% increase in holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. That compares with a 4.1% increase last year.

    “Clearly, there’s uncertainty,” Mastercard Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said. “Clearly, consumers feel on edge. But at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s changing how they are showing up for this season.”

    According to Adobe Analytics, Thanksgiving Day was the best time to shop online to get the deepest discount on sporting goods. But Black Friday will be the best time to buy TVs, toys and appliances online.

    Cyber Monday, however, should be the best time to buy apparel and computers. Apparel discounts peaked at 12.2% off the suggested manufacturer’s price between Nov. 1 and Nov. 23 but are expected to hit 25% off on Cyber Monday, Adobe said.

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  • Black Friday: What Time Do Stores Open?

    Black Friday has become something of an anachronism in the e-commerce era. The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season, but retailers already have spent weeks flooding their websites and customers’ email inboxes with early Black Friday offers.

    While sales trends have been shifting, the best bargains may still be from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. That may be especially true for big ticket items, seasonal merchandise and the latest trendy products.

    Consumer advocates note, however, that deep discounts are not a once-a-year opportunity. They advise shoppers to comparison shop, research price histories and to read the fine print to make sure they are buying what they really wanted at a good price.

    That said, some people enjoy stepping out from behind a computer or phone screen to take in the holiday atmosphere and music at a local mall or shopping area. Some retailers are offering exclusives to get them through the door. A number of stores that were closed on Thanksgiving reopen early Friday as retailers work to kick the holiday shopping season into high gear.

    Here are the Black Friday store hours for some prominent national chains.

    Best Buy stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    Costco stores will open at 9 a.m.

    Dick’s Sporting Goods stores lists its hours as 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Black Friday, but says on its website that hours may vary by location and to check with your local store for specific hours.

    Home Depot stores will open at 6 a.m. and close at the store’s regular hours. Specific closing hours may vary by store.

    JCPenney stores will open at 5 a.m.

    Most Kohl’s stores will open at 5 a.m.

    Lowe’s will open at 6 a.m.

    Macy’s stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours vary by location.

    Sam’s Club stores will be open during their regular hours.

    Target stores will open at 6 a.m. and close at their regular time.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Nov. 2025

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  • Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

    NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday may no longer be the retail bacchanalia of years past, when the promise of one-time bargains caused people to leave Thanksgiving tables for malls where some customers got into fistfights over toys or TVs. But the event still has enough enthusiasts to make it the biggest shopping day in the U.S.

    For that reason, the day retains its crown as the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year’s kickoff comes as companies navigate an uncertain economic environment and wrestle with the volatility of President Donald Trump ‘s wide-ranging tariffs on imported goods.

    Many have absorbed some of the costs and pulled back on hiring instead of raising prices for customers. Consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell this month to the lowest since April — when Trump announced his tariffs — in the aftermath of the government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation, according to a report The Conference Board issued Tuesday.

    Shoppers nonetheless have remained resilient and willing to spend, at least judging by the solid quarterly sales reports from Walmart, Best Buy and other retailers. But many retail executives also say customers are focusing on deals and have been selective in what they’re buying.

    Aron Boxer, 50, from Greenwich, Connecticut, said he delayed buying a car this year amid worries about tariffs. He said he’ll be looking for deals on toys on Cyber Monday but is also willing to wait to the end for the best discount.

    “The tariffs definitely are not behind me, and I am concerned about it,” the founder of an educational services company and a life coaching service said. “I did consider buying earlier this year, but I feel like some people made some pretty bad business decisions anticipating tariffs to have a bigger impact than they did.”

    Still, analysts and mall executives cited solid momentum heading into Black Friday week.

    “We’re seeing a very positive start to the holiday season,” said Jill Renslow, chief business development and marketing officer at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which plans to give gift cards and other giveaways to the first 250 customers who show up at 7 a.m. on Friday. “The last few Saturdays in November have been very strong.”

    Mall traffic heading into Black Friday surpassed the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019, Renslow said.

    A forecast from the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, predicted a healthy increase in holiday sales. The group estimated that shoppers would collectively spend between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion in November and December, or 3.7% to 4.2% more than last year.

    Retailers rung up $976 billion in holiday sales last year, or a 4.3% increase from 2023, the group said.

    Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all payment methods including cash, predicted a 3.6% increase in holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. That compares with a 4.1% increase last year.

    “Clearly, there’s uncertainty,” Mastercard Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said. “Clearly, consumers feel on edge. But at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s changing how they are showing up for this season.”

    Online sales have been strong so far. From Nov. 1 to Sunday, consumers spent $79.7 billion, according to Adobe Analytics. That represented a gain of 7.5% from a year earlier and was bigger than Adobe’s 5.3% growth forecast for the season.

    Tariffs have played a role in stores’ merchandising and pricing strategies. Many retailers accelerated shipments of some holiday merchandise before the tariffs took effect while also absorbing some of the extra import costs. But stores still have passed on some of the expense for items like toys, which are largely sourced in China.

    Market research firm Circana’s retail tracking service examined various subcategories of general merchandise and found 40% of all general merchandise sold in September saw a price increase of at least 5% compared with the first four months of the year.

    Toys, baby products, housewares, and team sports equipment were among the hardest hit. For example, 83% of toys sold in September saw an increase of at least 5%, Circana said.

    That number was up from 32% in June and will go even higher in coming months, according to Marshal Cohen, the firm’s chief industry advisor.

    Some executives have noticed retailers advertising tamer holiday discounts. Mall of America’s Renslow said deals didn’t show up at the mall as early as she anticipated. But she estimated store tenants had ramped up this week with discounts in the range of 30% to 50%. She thinks they’ll likely go deeper for the weekend.

    Stephen Lebovitz, CEO of CBL Properties, which operates 85 shopping properties, also noted unimpressive holiday discounting.

    “I think one of the benefits of the tariffs or the silver lining is that the inventory levels for the retailers are leaner, and they’ve tried to allow themselves to keep pricing power,” he said.

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  • Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

    NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday may no longer be the retail bacchanalia of years past, when the promise of one-time bargains caused people to leave Thanksgiving tables for malls where some customers got into fistfights over toys or TVs. But the event still has enough enthusiasts to make it the biggest shopping day in the U.S.

    For that reason, the day retains its crown as the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year’s kickoff comes as companies navigate an uncertain economic environment and wrestle with the volatility of President Donald Trump ‘s wide-ranging tariffs on imported goods.

    Many have absorbed some of the costs and pulled back on hiring instead of raising prices for customers. Consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell this month to the lowest since April — when Trump announced his tariffs — in the aftermath of the government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation, according to a report The Conference Board issued Tuesday.

    Shoppers nonetheless have remained resilient and willing to spend, at least judging by the solid quarterly sales reports from Walmart, Best Buy and other retailers. But many retail executives also say customers are focusing on deals and have been selective in what they’re buying.

    Aron Boxer, 50, from Greenwich, Connecticut, said he delayed buying a car this year amid worries about tariffs. He said he’ll be looking for deals on toys on Cyber Monday but is also willing to wait to the end for the best discount.

    “The tariffs definitely are not behind me, and I am concerned about it,” the founder of an educational services company and a life coaching service said. “I did consider buying earlier this year, but I feel like some people made some pretty bad business decisions anticipating tariffs to have a bigger impact than they did.”

    Still, analysts and mall executives cited solid momentum heading into Black Friday week.

    “We’re seeing a very positive start to the holiday season,” said Jill Renslow, chief business development and marketing officer at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which plans to give gift cards and other giveaways to the first 250 customers who show up at 7 a.m. on Friday. “The last few Saturdays in November have been very strong.”

    Mall traffic heading into Black Friday surpassed the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019, Renslow said.

    A forecast from the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, predicted a healthy increase in holiday sales. The group estimated that shoppers would collectively spend between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion in November and December, or 3.7% to 4.2% more than last year.

    Retailers rung up $976 billion in holiday sales last year, or a 4.3% increase from 2023, the group said.

    Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending across all payment methods including cash, predicted a 3.6% increase in holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. That compares with a 4.1% increase last year.

    “Clearly, there’s uncertainty,” Mastercard Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said. “Clearly, consumers feel on edge. But at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s changing how they are showing up for this season.”

    Online sales have been strong so far. From Nov. 1 to Sunday, consumers spent $79.7 billion, according to Adobe Analytics. That represented a gain of 7.5% from a year earlier and was bigger than Adobe’s 5.3% growth forecast for the season.

    Tariffs have played a role in stores’ merchandising and pricing strategies. Many retailers accelerated shipments of some holiday merchandise before the tariffs took effect while also absorbing some of the extra import costs. But stores still have passed on some of the expense for items like toys, which are largely sourced in China.

    Market research firm Circana’s retail tracking service examined various subcategories of general merchandise and found 40% of all general merchandise sold in September saw a price increase of at least 5% compared with the first four months of the year.

    Toys, baby products, housewares, and team sports equipment were among the hardest hit. For example, 83% of toys sold in September saw an increase of at least 5%, Circana said.

    That number was up from 32% in June and will go even higher in coming months, according to Marshal Cohen, the firm’s chief industry advisor.

    Some executives have noticed retailers advertising tamer holiday discounts. Mall of America’s Renslow said deals didn’t show up at the mall as early as she anticipated. But she estimated store tenants had ramped up this week with discounts in the range of 30% to 50%. She thinks they’ll likely go deeper for the weekend.

    Stephen Lebovitz, CEO of CBL Properties, which operates 85 shopping properties, also noted unimpressive holiday discounting.

    “I think one of the benefits of the tariffs or the silver lining is that the inventory levels for the retailers are leaner, and they’ve tried to allow themselves to keep pricing power,” he said.

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  • What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest or prepare ahead of Black Friday

    WASHINGTON (AP) — With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists.

    Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.

    Here’s what is open and closed this Thanksgiving, along with a travel forecast from the experts at AAA auto club.

    Government Buildings

    Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.

    Banks and the stock market

    U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Thursday; however, markets reopen on Friday for a shortened trading day, wrapping up at 1 p.m. Eastern.

    Package Delivery

    Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Thanksgiving, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.

    Retailers

    Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

    Target will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

    Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will have extended hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

    Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but many stores will be open as early as 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Check your local location for hours.

    Costco will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will reopen on Black Friday. Check your local store’s website for hours.

    CVS will close early on Thanksgiving. You can call your local store or check store and pharmacy hours on the CVS Pharmacy website.

    Walgreens will close most of its stores on Thanksgiving, though some 24-hour locations will be open. Check your local store for more information.

    Grocery Stores

    Most national grocery store chains are open on Thanksgiving for those last-minute turkey day needs, although many close early. Check your local store for details.

    Travel

    With most schools closed Thursday and Friday, the long Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest holiday travel period of the year, according to AAA.

    AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1. That’s 1.6 million more travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, which would be a new record.

    AAA estimates that at least 73 million people will travel by car, amounting to nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travelers. About 1.3 million more people will be on the road this year compared to last year, AAA predicts.

    Drivers are currently paying around $3 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA. Last year, the national average was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day.

    According to AAA, 6 million U.S. travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the 7-day holiday period, a 2% increase over 2024. That figure could end up lower if flights are canceled or delayed.

    Travel by other modes is expected to increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people. Other forms of travel include bus, train, and cruise ships.

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  • What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest — or prepare — ahead of Black Friday

    WASHINGTON — With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists.

    Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.

    Here’s what is open and closed this Thanksgiving, along with a travel forecast from the experts at AAA auto club.

    Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.

    U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Thursday; however, markets reopen on Friday for a shortened trading day, wrapping up at 1 p.m. Eastern.

    Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Thanksgiving, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.

    Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

    Target will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

    Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will have extended hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

    Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving, but many stores will be open as early as 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Check your local location for hours.

    Costco will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will reopen on Black Friday. Check your local store’s website for hours.

    CVS will close early on Thanksgiving. You can call your local store or check store and pharmacy hours on the CVS Pharmacy website.

    Walgreens will close most of its stores on Thanksgiving, though some 24-hour locations will be open. Check your local store for more information.

    Most national grocery store chains are open on Thanksgiving for those last-minute turkey day needs, although many close early. Check your local store for details.

    With most schools closed Thursday and Friday, the long Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest holiday travel period of the year, according to AAA.

    AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1. That’s 1.6 million more travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, which would be a new record.

    AAA estimates that at least 73 million people will travel by car, amounting to nearly 90 percent of Thanksgiving travelers. About 1.3 million more people will be on the road this year compared to last year, AAA predicts.

    Drivers are currently paying around $3 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA. Last year, the national average was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day.

    According to AAA, 6 million U.S. travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the 7-day holiday period, a 2% increase over 2024. That figure could end up lower if flights are canceled or delayed.

    Travel by other modes is expected to increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people. Other forms of travel include bus, train, and cruise ships.

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  • How scammers use the holiday season to steal your money, information

    Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.Holiday shopping: What to knowShop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.Online deals that are too good to be trueWhen shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist. Missed packages or problems with deliveryExpecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.” These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.Scams: Fake refunds, quishing, phishing/smishing, whalingRefund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information. Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership. Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scamsGift card scamsBe cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely onlinePhony charitiesThe holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.Travel scamsScammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.What to do if you fall victim to a scamVideo below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scamStop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.

    Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.

    Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.

    Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.

    Holiday shopping: What to know

    Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.

    Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.

    Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

    How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.

    Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.

    Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.

    Online deals that are too good to be true

    When shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.

    Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist.

    Missed packages or problems with delivery

    Expecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.”

    These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.

    Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.

    Scams: Fake refunds, quishing, phishing/smishing, whaling

    Refund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information.

    Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.

    When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.

    Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership.

    Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scams

    Gift card scams

    Be cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.

    Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.

    Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.

    Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely online

    Phony charities

    The holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.

    Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.

    Travel scams

    Scammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.

    As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”

    Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.

    What to do if you fall victim to a scam

    Video below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scam

    Stop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.

    Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.

    Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.

    Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.

    Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.

    Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.

    Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.

    Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.

    Source link

  • Thanksgiving tips: Health and safety advice from Central Florida officials

    Thanksgiving tips: Health and safety advice from Central Florida officials

    Updated: 11:50 AM EST Nov 25, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Firefighters in Orange County took matters into their own hands Friday to demonstrate the dangers of frying a turkey, and shared their tips on how everyone can ensure “a happy, hazard-free Thanksgiving with your loved ones.”Cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires and fire-related injuries in the country, Orange County Fire Rescue said. Officials who hosted the event aimed to show those cooking a frozen turkey what could happen if the bird is placed into an overfilled, scorching oil fryer. The results could be dangerous, whether it be a hot oil spill or a fire that could cause severe burns, property damage and potential explosions. The Florida Department of Health in Lake County and Osceola County also shared tips for the upcoming holiday, hoping to encourage everyone to stay healthy and safe. The two shared the following information for Thanksgiving best practices in news releases:Food SafetyThaw meat in the refrigerator or in a sink filled with cold water before cooking. The water needs to be changed every 30 minutes. Do not thaw it on the counter, as foodborne bacteria can quickly grow.Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods and wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces frequently to avoid cross-contamination.Do not consume raw batter or dough that is made with flour or eggs to avoid harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to proper internal temperatures.Once the food is prepared, keep hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cold items below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.Hot and cold leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours of being served.Keep hot foods insulated and place cold foods on ice or gel packs while in the car.Physical Health and Mental Well-BeingThe holiday season often comes with busier schedules, making it extra important to take care of mental well-being and physical health. Find ways to be physically active. This can be as simple as walking for an extra 10 minutes during your holiday shopping.Schedule time to unwind and take part in activities you enjoy.Use healthy ingredients in your traditional dishes by opting for less sodium and healthy fats.Reach out and check in on one another. The holidays can heighten feelings of loss or grief. Connecting with your community can help, especially for those struggling.Decoration and Travel SafetyAvoid placing poisonous plants in areas accessible to children and pets. Holly berries, mistletoe, amaryllis, and English ivy are a few poisonous plants that are popular around the holidays.Secure and cover extension cords to prevent trips and falls.Be cautious when using spray-on artificial snow. Inhalation can cause irritation to the lungs.Make sure car seats are properly installed and children are in the right seats for their age and size. Set up a car seat safety inspection.Be well rested before getting behind the wheel.Designate a sober driver.

    Firefighters in Orange County took matters into their own hands Friday to demonstrate the dangers of frying a turkey, and shared their tips on how everyone can ensure “a happy, hazard-free Thanksgiving with your loved ones.”

    Cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires and fire-related injuries in the country, Orange County Fire Rescue said.

    Officials who hosted the event aimed to show those cooking a frozen turkey what could happen if the bird is placed into an overfilled, scorching oil fryer. The results could be dangerous, whether it be a hot oil spill or a fire that could cause severe burns, property damage and potential explosions.

    The Florida Department of Health in Lake County and Osceola County also shared tips for the upcoming holiday, hoping to encourage everyone to stay healthy and safe.

    The two shared the following information for Thanksgiving best practices in news releases:

    Food Safety

    • Thaw meat in the refrigerator or in a sink filled with cold water before cooking. The water needs to be changed every 30 minutes. Do not thaw it on the counter, as foodborne bacteria can quickly grow.
    • Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods and wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces frequently to avoid cross-contamination.
    • Do not consume raw batter or dough that is made with flour or eggs to avoid harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
    • Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to proper internal temperatures.
    • Once the food is prepared, keep hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cold items below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Hot and cold leftovers need to be refrigerated within two hours of being served.
    • Keep hot foods insulated and place cold foods on ice or gel packs while in the car.

    Physical Health and Mental Well-Being

    The holiday season often comes with busier schedules, making it extra important to take care of mental well-being and physical health.

    • Find ways to be physically active. This can be as simple as walking for an extra 10 minutes during your holiday shopping.
    • Schedule time to unwind and take part in activities you enjoy.
    • Use healthy ingredients in your traditional dishes by opting for less sodium and healthy fats.
    • Reach out and check in on one another. The holidays can heighten feelings of loss or grief. Connecting with your community can help, especially for those struggling.

    Decoration and Travel Safety

    • Avoid placing poisonous plants in areas accessible to children and pets. Holly berries, mistletoe, amaryllis, and English ivy are a few poisonous plants that are popular around the holidays.
    • Secure and cover extension cords to prevent trips and falls.
    • Be cautious when using spray-on artificial snow. Inhalation can cause irritation to the lungs.
    • Make sure car seats are properly installed and children are in the right seats for their age and size. Set up a car seat safety inspection.
    • Be well rested before getting behind the wheel.
    • Designate a sober driver.

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  • Discover Long Island launches winter marketing campaign | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Discover Long Island unveils “You Are Here” winter campaign.

    • Focus on Suffolk County and the region’s nature, culture, community and flavor.

    • Campaign promotes local businesses, theaters, trails and shopping.

    • Multi-platform approach includes print, digital, broadcast and social media.

    Discover Long Island, which markets the region as a destination, has launched a winter campaign. The “You Are Here” campaign showcases Suffolk County and greater Long Island as a place filled with community, culture and a sense of belonging, while also inspiring residents to rediscover nearby destinations.

    “You think you know Long Island, but maybe it’s time to experience your island, through fresh eyes,” a video spot – part of the new campaign – begins.

    Downtowns, scenic hiking trails, holiday shopping, restaurants and theaters are the focus of the campaign, which as four messaging pillars: ‘You Are Here… in Nature, Community, Culture, and Flavor.’

    “’You Are Here’ is more than a campaign, it’s a call to action for Long Islanders to support the small businesses, cultural institutions, and local landmarks that shape who we are,” Discover Long Island Interim President and CEO Mitch Pally said in the news release. “Long Island isn’t just where we live, it’s a part of our identity.”

    The campaign runs across print, digital, broadcast and social media. Local media partnerships highlight seasonal shopping and events, while targeted digital ads, geofencing and radio placements extend the campaign’s reach across surrounding communities.

    The campaign is also designed to highlight Discover Long Island’s role as a “trusted guide and resource” in the region, according to the news release.

    “When residents choose to explore their own communities, they’re not just making memories, they’re strengthening our local economy, deepening their sense of local pride, and helping Long Island thrive year-round,” Discover Long Island Chief Operating Officer Sharon Wyman said in the news release.


    Adina Genn

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