“Crowds? I see nothing. I’m surprised,” retail worker Jeremy Pritchett told FOX 2. “Normally, it’s wrapped all the way around the building. Today: no one.”
That’s the typical ground report from areas all over the country. No one, literally almost no one, is doing any holiday shopping and the traditional Black Friday rush to get deals and discounts just didn’t happen. Financial media are scratching their puzzlers, perplexed with furrowed brows.
Interestingly, almost every financial media outlet is using the same Retail Federation talking point about anticipating an 8% increase in holiday sales this year. Apparently, pretenses must be maintained. Meanwhile, news crews and camera crews are having a desperate time finding any holiday shopping to use as background footage for the claims that sales are strong.
“Look, over there. There’s a person buying something. Oh, wait, no, that’s just an employee dusting the empty cash register.” At a certain point, one would have to believe reality would run head-first into the mass delusional pretending. Maybe this holiday season will be it, maybe not.
Reuters – […] About 166 million people were planning to shop from Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday through this coming “Cyber Monday,” according to the National Retail Federation, almost 8 million more than last year. But with sporadic rain in some parts of the country, stores were less busy than usual on Black Friday.
“Usually at this time of the year you struggle to find parking. This year, I haven’t had an issue getting a parking spot,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry adviser of the NPD Group Inc.
“It’s a lot of social shopping, everybody is only looking to get what they need. There is no sense of urgency,” Cohen added, based on his store checks in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.
At the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, there were no lines outside stores. A Toys ‘R’ Us employee was handing out flyers with a list of the Black Friday “door buster” promotions. (read more)
It’s almost Kafkaesque to see how the media are continuing to maintain economic pretenses, yet the reality of a completely collapsed consumer economy is physically staring them in the face.
(Bloomberg) – Activity Light at One San Francisco Mall (4:40 p.m.) – At the Stonestown mall in San Francisco, shoppers were few and far between. The Target and Zara stores were mostly empty, and there was no line for the mall’s Santa Claus. Uniqlo and Apple were the busiest locations, but they still weren’t crowded.
[…] Crowds were thin in the late morning at the Stamford Town Center mall. Kay Jeweler, empty. Safavieh, empty. Only a couple of people waited at the checkout line at Forever 21 and just a few were in line for a purchase at Barnes & Noble.
[…] At a Target store on Chicago’s North Side, the parking lot was barely half full at about 9 a.m. local time. Shoppers were greeted with $3 ornaments and discounted Christmas trees when entering, and the store seemed calm and relatively quiet.
[…] The Macy’s in Stamford, Connecticut, was neat and orderly — maybe a little too neat and orderly on a day associated with shopping chaos. The furniture section was nearly deserted, though there were more shoppers looking at shoes. (read more)
https://twitter.com/SteveInmanUIC/status/1596330507390046208
.
Went out this afternoon in my N. TX town. Target was busier than a typical Saturday but not by much. I think they may have raised TV prices. Academy sports was similar — more than average but not much more.
Far north Dallas and southward is crazy. Weather is constant rain and wind and cold as seasons change, but traffic will not slow down. Big box stores are packed. Gas is down to 2.68. Christmas lights and trees are going up everywhere. People are eating out and spending $$$. Masks are almost gone, l’d guess 1-3%,( and they don’t look healthy anyway.) Plenty of paper tags and new cars everywhere… (many high end cars as well).
I stay home when I can, never make left turns without a light, and cuss red light runners.
We just got a H.E.B. and still waiting on a Buc-ees.
Blame it on the LAX refugees.
Now if we could just get a HEB in Gainesville, I’d have a great Christmas.
9.1 billion done in online sales.
Inflation has some to do with that #, buy that is a massive number for online sales.
How does a party rid itself of unwanted voters? Keep making demoralizing deals with the other party. It should be plain as the nose on your face that the GOPe losing is by design…just like crashing the economy.
In order to spur the economy, could we buy presents for those political prisoners being unjustly held in sub-human conditions at the DC Devil’s Island?
Only problem is the low-life guards would probably steal all the presents and take them home. Minus 10% for the Big Guy / Chairman anyway.
They are on my mind every day. The jailing of J6 protesters is an ongoing abomination
Here is the real economy we should be focused on Project Prometheus: Building Hundreds of Nuclear Power Plants to Make America Great Againhttps://www.larouchepac.com/project_prometheus_building_hundreds_of_nuclear_power_plants_to_make_america_great_again
i don’t trust the possibility of violence. now i am 74 so that factors in but still…..
.
Hmmm.
Seems to be a real mixed bag in reality.
Some areas plenty busy; others not so much.
Anyone consider the ‘new amount’ of ‘resident/refugees’ and their ‘charity-issued’ debit cards are accounting for those busy areas full of spending vs. what one would expect given individual circumstances?
I’d like to make a comparison while we have this info before us.
Everyone knows the crowds and frenzy shopping were horrible a few years ago. I hated the malls. Now, few even exist in our town. Black Friday was mild, nice.
This is how organic change happens in a society. You don’t mandate anything you allow the freedom of change and money flows in different directions. If you’re smart you stay ahead of that move. Online shopping hit another record.
Now, compare green energy and electric vehicles. organic or mandated transfer of wealth?? They do all they can to direct who gets wealthy and who does not. They want that power to hold us in bondage.
Our government is the biggest nastiest cartel organization to ever live. Sick of every last one of them. I believe it is the sentiment of most sane individuals.
Online shopping didn’t hit a record. Every item cost more.
I”m reading that online shopping hit an all time high on Black Friday, despite economy.
Only measured in terms of dollars. “Right to Reply” above pointed out that the only reason a “record”was technically set was because of price increases on almost everything.
CNBC published a report that the “record” was a 2.3% increase over last year. Do you believe prices have increased only 2.3%? All the inflation numbers point to far larger increases than 2.3% – they have increased more likely from 10% to well over 20% since last year.
THAT means that actually LESS items were purchased this past Black Friday than the same day last year, so NO record was set in terms of VOLUME; it was actually LOWER activity. ONLY the inflated prices pushed the “total dollars spent” over last years’ total dollars spent.
ALSO – note in the CNBC article that purchases on CREDIT increased about 80% over last year.. …people cannot afford to pay cash for what they bought!!!!
Read carefully: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/26/black-friday-online-sales-top-9-billion-in-new-record.html
Now adjust for inflation.
Yeah, because of higher prices. Do we see headlines about how people are spending more on gasoline every week? Another record high for gasoline sales this week!! Yay! Record high sales on gasoline this week!! They know that we could understand that the real reason was because PRICES ARE HIGHER.
This is gaslighting. They are distorting facts to make it appear that the economy is not tanking.
Easy to manipulate the innumerate.
9.1 billion on back friday that’s a new record.
Looks like online shopping at Amazon is a little slow–they’re warehouse people and drivers are on strike…
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/2022-black-friday-shopping/
They speak of the outlet malls…
Usually Woodfield Mall is big news with helicopters overhead reporting on full parking lots and lines at stores, Woodfield was not too much in the news on Black Friday…if they were I missed it.
Used to work at Woodfield in the 80s, they would bring in tourbusses from the neighboring states
The indoor malls have been dead for years where I live, north of NYC.
Many of the properties will be made into apartments and town houses.
Here’s a great website that explains a lot.
https://www.deadmalls.com/
So, am I getting this right? Looting is no longer profitable?
Not even the thieves have anyone to sell to. Otherwise, they would be targeting these stores…
The Lord works in mysterious ways, no?
LOL!!!!
That was my first thought, no one lines up to buy a sale price big TV anymore, they have already stolen the prize.
“Shoppers are embracing the Buy Now Pay Later payment method more this year to be able to buy desired gifts for family and friends.”
https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/credit-card-debt-statistics/
Since the third quarter of 2021, credit card balances have risen by $121 billion. That’s a 15% increase, the largest year-over-year jump in more than 20 years.
With the increase, Americans’ credit card debt stands just $2 billion below the record set in the fourth quarter of 2019, when balances stood at $927 billion. Thanks to rising interest rates, stubborn inflation and myriad other economic factors, it’s likely just a matter of time before credit card balances surpass the 2019 record.
Current avg credit card debt in NJ is $7,872
A lot of working-class people around here + many are living off credit cards – but somehow afford trips to the beach in Florida for a few days or more….
Funny, I wanted to buy some ne guitar pics from Sweetwater, 3 for $5.59. I was given an option to pay the $5.59 over 4 months.
Sounds as if you are overpaying for the Sweetwater brand. I have picks I have used for years, why the discrepancies? If it has gotten this expensive, I will continue using my index finger, and dispatch with the pinch harmonics.
Just joking man–you are free to handle it in your own way–being different makes for a good musician with an edge over most players, I think.
BTW- what is the interest accrued over four months on a $5.59 payoff?
Include me. In the credit card world I am known as a deadbeat because I pay my card off every months. I am actually worse.
I used them to buy a few large items because they give 2% back. Also, one credit card paid me $250 for charging $600 in the first 90 days. I paid off the $600 purchases before interest accrued, and then transfered other cards balances to it for a 3% fee and 0% interest for 13 months.
Making the minimum payments at 0% interest for 12-13 months makes the interest a little higher than 3%, but the dollar are worth less and less.
The 12 monthe CDs I bought in the same amount of the credit card payoff yield 4.5%.
Screw them when you can.
Social distancing is what Fauci/Collins wanted. Enjoy your Democrat votes.
We are down 80%.
Ah.
Marketers lie? Quelle surprise….
Ha!!!
Lots of retail just barely hanging on, hoping for a saving Christmas season that likely will not materialize enough to save them. Expect lots of retail bankruptcy filings during first quarter 23. Watch for law firm bankrupcy departments to begin staffing up in January.
Next up, they crash the American railroads. It’s amazing the amount of damage that can be done in a couple years.
Yeah, Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Joann’s are two retailers who have announced they are closing locations.
Bed Bath Beyond annoyed me when they purposely stopped carrying My Pillow products. I therefore stopped shopping there, and I used to go fairly often.
We need to boycott the woke corporations that promote globalism. Target, Macys, Kohls, Nordstrom, Starbucks, the list is long of places I boycott. When inside local shopping districts, I avoid any stores that display woke signage.
Same here. Bought all new window treatments and bedding for our home. All new Christmas decorations too this year. I refused to buy anything from Bed, Bath and Beyond because of their stance against Lindell.
At the risk of offending some I also won’t spend my money in places that don’t hire at least some whites, or anyone over 35.
I moved from Connecticut to No Carolina and shocked to see very few whites employed anywhere. Mostly blacks and Spanish.
I follow the same ideology. I can’t remember the last time I went into a large “woke” corporation. I shop mom & pop stores exclusively. Sure their products cost a little more, but I’ll gladly pay 10% more not to further a giant corporation’s wake agenda.
Add this to the Boycott list: Include the corporations that have pulled their ad revenue from Twitter, like Apple, who are doing this in protest of Elon Musk’s Free Speech policies allowing President Trump’s account to be reinstated on Twitter. Musk also reinstated other formerly suspended conservative’s accounts which has progs wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth.
This is my prediction also. Any companies hanging on will suffer some severe loss and the fallout is the only disagreement I have I think it will be 2nd QTR when the SHTF in the media. They’ll keep it as quiet bad possible.
Well, there’s literally no one stopping them
Couple of days.
Most people see that Mega $$$ Corporations + Funds + Families own Government + our other Institutions. Like Sundance points out frequently concerning why the GOP office holders so often ignore their voters.
So – it should be a given to them that — many of the Key Players in some of those corporations were brought on board with the roll out of The Great Reset before it was launched.
So — I think we should also consider — these layoffs + closings + related things —- are NOT simply a response to the economic slowdown or supply chain issues….
….They are not a response. They were — anticipated. Factored in. Planned.
Many saw that the layoffs + similar moves —– came immediately AFTER the Midterm Elections in the US….
….So, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine that these Elites think ahead…
We are conditioned to have a tendency to view Government + Officials + more as being — caught up on the waves of events like we are.
We are conditioned to believe our Officials are idiots who couldn’t organize or plan for a 5 year old’s birthday party.
If we fail at that – they hit you with labels like Conspiracy Theory!! or Election Denier!! or Satanic Panic!!
They are effective at both….
Frankly, I’m not necessarily “conditioned” to believe our Government Officials are idiots that could not organize a five-year-old’s birthday party.
This is simply a fact they, themselves, have proven to me over and over again, year after year, and we (the collective) just keep sending them back to screw up even more
That is the danger of a lazy, ignorant, and brainwashed electorate. Also, dishonestly run elections. Put them together, it’s a deadly poison.
In PA many of us are wondering how Fetterneck came to be. We know Philly cheats but it had to be more than that. Talked to an old guy who voted for him. He said that he did not know who to vote for but he read on these mailers that OZ had done some terrible things. Rush called them lo-info voters. The GOP did not really want Oz to win.
Most seniors are low informed, believe me I know. I asked a few of them at my senior center and they hardly knew who was running, one asked me where did she go to vote. They have pulled that demrat lever since 18 and will do so till they die. They have no clue, just that they voted. I am surprised how many white men ages 50 plus vote demrat and have no clue as to why.
A few observations from Henrico County, VA. 1) For Thanksgiving, I will take the family out. This year I could not get reservations. I tried several establishments, they were all booked. 2) Black Friday. The mall where I live was packed, and it’s a big mall. The parking lots were full. In fact, folks were parking in some of the lots of stores on the periphery of the mall. The main drag was so packed with cars that when the lights changed cars were still in the intersection.
Is that area full of government workers?
Of course it is. It’s the suburbs of the CIA.
This is close:
The county is #1 and school system #2.
Hospitals and health #3.
Banking and Credit #4.
So yeah, quite a few didn’t lose their jobs when the economy was shut down and/or could work from home.
And Henrico is one of the few locations that has a Tesla dealership so that tells you something, too.
Then they have no worries of layoffs or wage decreases.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! I guess we ALL get IT!!!!!
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!! $197,000 per year!
Bingo!
Is Henrico around DC? If so, it wouldn’t surprise if the government types have money. They always seem to be recession proof. The government will not let their own suffer. Or if they do, it’s only for the useful optics against fiscal conservatives.
This photo probably had more shoppers than any retail store this weekend:
Whether the on line sales snatched a large portion of this Black Friday promotion or not, it is certainly a catastrophe for many of the in-store retailers as sundance pointed out.
If they go under it will be another serious decline in “spreading the wealth” and employing more people. But the persistent drive of the alleged “elite”(or most greedy) to concentrate the wealth into fewer and fewer hands is one downside to the original “unfettered capitalism” that helped spawn the Communist utopian illusion in some countries in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
The corrupt gov’ts today are in collusion with these “elite” so they allow the wealth concentration to continue unabated. COVID policies were very effective in creating more billionaires while impoverishing countless “ordinary” obedient citizens. The pending wealth transfer caused by “Climate Change” policies will dwarf these COVID results.
I own a small house painting business.
I had 8 newly built condos just put on hold.
40000 dollars worth of business gone.
My wife works at a locally owned hardware store, this is the first year her boss has lost money in 20 years he’s owned the business.
She didn’t get a summer bonus which she usually does and we’re expecting maybe a small Xmas bonus this year. That’s almost 8000 in bonus money we won’t be able to count on.
I loathe this government and all the idiots who support this.
NOBODY supported this administration. The election was stolen, as was 2022. The title of the video at this link is deceptive to hide from algorithms that would cause it to be taken down. Check it out and decide for yourself;Georgia election officials have created a tutorial on how to change a ballot, once it’s been scanned into the system. See it here, and notice the brand name of the machine: https://www.bitchute.com/video/myUv5qZtmOnT/
Oh yes, there were quite a few useful idiots who did, but I still think they needed fraud to win.
KIND OF. Don’t underestimate mockingbird. Of course, it’s like people who brainwash others aren’t going to cheat in all ways.
This isn’t unfettered capitalism, it crony capitalism.
Agreed! I was referring to the past days of the monopolistic Robber Barons when capitalism had few if any constraints.
Scary version? We’re headed to feudalism. I can empathize with your challenges. I owned a asset based machine shop for over 30 years. Saw the writing on the wall when Covid hit and closed it in protest and haven’t looked back.
Suffering is high, just got burglarized on election day. No matter, faith is strong, as is hatred of Communists everywhere. I’ll go out on my own terms. Unlike your situation, my family is dead and I’m old. God be with you.
I’m sorry for your losses.
My family survived the Reds and IMO there are citizens out there who are quietly suffering far worse. We’ll make it. Faith is strong. I pray for those with families who are making some very tough choices right now. Thank you.
Actually, I think this has been a long-term strategy for many decades. I know I have been in discussions on this matter several times over the years.
Big Corporations are destroying the Mom&Pop Shops, just like Big Ag is destroying the family farms, Large Conglomerates are buying up land and building large developments, townhouses, condominiums; few young couples can afford to buy property and build their own home or purchase a starter home, as we did many decades ago.
This is all planned. It’s destroying our culture, our economy and our country.
Why does Bill Gates want millions of acres of our farmland? Why are we selling farmland to China owned companies?
I agree, it has “been a long-term (or persistent strategy) for many decades” and it only becomes glaringly obvious when the greed of the wealthy few gains significant strides over the society at large like today.
Over regulation impedes economic growth as P Trump proved but there are times when wise and fair regulation of Big Business is necessary.
Thank you for your analysis. I like that you used the phrase ‘wealth concentration’.
It’s been happening under color of law in recent times, as government/corporate fascism rises and controls the marketplace.
Our main check is in our numbers. We work, we spend, we save, we invest, we borrow. We have choices. However, we need to work together.
IMO, that’s the hardest part for Americans. We’re scrappy mutts, always looking for a way to profit, dominate, win. Americans love to win and hate to lose and, to many, working together and following that pledge our founders inscribed within the Declaration of Independence is something very difficult for us to do.
We can do it. Our founders showed us the way.
We’ve never had “unfettered capitalism” in America.
Good catch.
One way I was looking at that figure is that our Federal government has spent that amount … about 9 billion for every month of the last 10 months … on their proxy war in Ukraine. And, we’re on the hook for it.
I cancelled Xmas, spent almost all I had on a house . Still renovating , since October 6th . And working overtime on Sundays, to bring back cash because I’m still paying rent . 🤬
No need to cancel Christmas because you bought a new home and are renovating.
For most of our 52 years of married life, we were renovating something and had little extra cash to dole out for gifts.
We always celebrate Christmas.
The same with us Abigail S.
We td to focus on the religious aspect of Christmas instead of the Santa aspect.
We still gave presents and had fun but kept that part small.
We tried to do more as a family, played games and went sledding or ice skating.
That is what our kids talk about and remember now when they tell about our family Christmas’s to their kids.
Singing carols gathered around the piano, playing board games if it was too cold to go outside etc.
How Lovely, Chloe!
Hey Chloe. I’m visiting right now in Colorado with my grandkids. They know that granny can’t afford gifts, and doesn’t want any either, but I do spend game and baking time with them. Plus I try to share pictures and stories of our fairly colorful family history. Of course, most of the older grandkids have their own lives now, and most of them didn’t visit. That is why I scrimp all year to be able to visit at Thanksgiving ( when pressure to give gifts is less) for now while my youngest grandson is still excited to hear granny is coming for a visit.
Excellent, Abigail!
I often times want to rein in Christmas, but then remember why we have it, know God’s lesson, and always do some small but nice things no matter what the wallet has. Love!
Maybe some good can come of this after all. If it serves to cut the massive materialism and spending addictions we have, then at least some good can come of it.
That is the best Christmas present ever!
Am sure that up 2.3 % is not a # they are happy with. Actually disappointing number. Here in Naples at a very upscale mall of 50 stores and 5 restaurants , Thanksgiving dinner reservations last year 1100 at 1 restaurant , this year 650. Also , many condos still have no power and many winter residents not down yet. Seems too early to tell how rest of season will play out. Personally , want to live my best life but have never been one to live beyond my means. Pray and help others
In my A/O – there are a couple major arterials usually jammed on Black Friday and the days to follow. This year – there actually seems to be less traffic than ordinary for non-holiday time.
I took advantage of “Black Friday” sales on line. Laid in Coffee, Heartworm &Flea/Tick meds, refrigerator water filters. I bought a couple Vintage clothing items off of Poshmark. I did have to buy my Mom a coffee pot and a small slow cooker. That’s it for me except I hope Chewy puts dog food on sale. Really basic practical purchases….but I’m pretty practical anyway. I search Poshmark for very specific items like 100%wool coats for Granddaughter and little Christmas dresses preferably 100 % cotton velvet. Any clothing items in stores these days are crap anyway.
I notice that some retailers call jackets “wool” and it’s 90% polyester and 10% wool!
A lot of them do, and it’s almost impossible to find, or afford 100% wool now days. You see “faux wool” as well.
That’s why I buy mostly from thrift stores. You can get fine bargains if you know what to look for. 😉
Absolutely, and hunting on line is like what we used to call “window shopping “. I’d much rather buy a good quality item from someone that needs the money, than a retail store.
Poshmark is surprisingly good for all sorts of clothing and shoes.
It really is, and I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve purchased. I’ve even thought about doing it myself, I certainly have a lot of clothing that doesn’t fit any longer and my husband has a lot as well.
Don’t worry everyone, the wealthy of this nation will be fine.
In fact, next year I’m sure they will be able to buy some wonderful property on the cheap.
What a wonderful country we live in.
It IS a wonderful country. We just have some real rats ruling it right now.
Yes, for every patriot that goes under, another patriot potentially benefits. Pretty difficult to work together when viewed through that lens. Would you want to work with someone who’s smacking their lips and smiling as you’re evicted from your home? IDK.
Normally, IME, we don’t care about the misfortune of others in the real world, though we might form up narratives that suggest we do. Bad genetics, lousy education, poor life choices, money mismangement, on and on. They deserve what they get. Is that really what’s going on right now? Good question to reflect upon.
‘Black Friday Online Sales Top $9B In New Record’
‘American shoppers spent a record US$9B online on Black Friday despite inflation’
Well, prices have inflated too.
Given the number of repetitive reports of the same metric in this thread, I’d say the media propaganda blitzkrieg has been successful.
And you’re right.
And let’s remember that a whole lot of that online shopping is for everyday stuff, not special Christmas shopping.
Yes. That needs to be factored into the analysis. I may go to Amazon to purchase a few Christmas gifts and also buy everyday essentials that have nothing to do with Santa presents.
Our local Walmart has had the twenty spots up beside the building allotted for holiday season pickup for two weeks. We always go shopping on the weekend – both this weekend and last, not one car was in any of the twenty spots. One person was picking up a TV, pulled up in front of the door. Otherwise nothing.
Yes, it is all CRAP.!!!! Good on you, Joe.
Talked to a friend today in my former home of Portland and she said the lines just to get into the mall to try and find a parking space were just too much…the mall in Beaverton is packed. I went to Bellevue Square today – a suburb of Seattle – and it was a madhouse.
Apparently the Pacific Northwest is faring better than other locations ….so far.
I’ll never go in Barnes and Noble again after I was threatened to have police called against me because I didn’t put the mask over my child’s staff infection. Anyway our police would have laughed, but child was actually traumatized (mildly tho).
Yep.
And if the CBDC is up and running the biden regime or current dictator will actually be able to force people to spend their digital slave currency on a black friday or loose it.
Use it or loose it black friday.
😳😳😳😀
My understanding is the big box stores that had previously offered limited numbers of ultra-cheap items on a first come first serve basis as a come-on have decided the near-riots (and in some cases, full-on riots) they cause are not worth it. The Black Friday chaos had been escalating year after year. Add in all the organized shoplifting going on recently, and I think retailers have had enough and don’t actually want the risk of large masked crowds gathered at the doors in the early am hours, willing to trample each other to grab a cheap flat screen TV.
I can proudly state that I have never – never -taken part in in-person Black Friday shopping. Even on-line shopping on Black Friday/Cyber Monday has been limited.
Does that mean that I’m a frugal, anti-capitalist calling pre-Christmas Ebenezer Scrooge a sprendthrift ? No. I simply spread my discretion consumer item shopping (20+ years on both the ‘Bay and Amazon) throughout the year.
I hope to go the grave keeping that track record.
Admittedly, the last 8 years living near Anchorage, AK hasn’t hurt 🙂
I’m in my 60’s and never BF ever. My wife went with her sister to that stuff when I was married.
What I usually do this time of year, instead of shopping, is start hand writing Christmas cards. In fact I pulled them out this morning. Not many people left alive to send them to but it’s a tradition, I guess like for some shopping BF is a tradition.
Most of the time that’s just false advertising anyway. I remember waiting in the dark like a fool to be first in line at a not-to-be-believed cheaply priced laptop, only to be told after sprinting ahead of everyone else they were “sold out”. When I asked how they could be “sold out” before anyone got there the snitty clerk shrugged and walked away. It was the last time I visited that store. Not long after that they went bankrupt, and it was a well know national chain. Aparently they were not so good at retaining customers, go figure.
Empty street retail shops vs $9.2 BILLION bumper / record online does not equal a “Consumer Economy that has Completely Collapsed”….. however you cut it….rather the opposite.
https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/1f642.svg
Sundance posted without all the information and screwed up.
It’s not the end of the world…we all do it.
Much Respect today.
Three years ago the above comment would have been deleted.
We are making progress aren’t we.
Lol at the dumbasses who come here and thoroughly insult our gracious hosts.
In fairness there are dozens of members who have posted similar narratives but without pot shots of the site owner included.
I think a more thorough analysis will show the wisdom of the owner’s assertions but we’ll need to wait for the full numbers, presuming the books aren’t cooked, to come out.
I’m happy for those who have money to go Christmas shopping. I got a windfall myself, apparently the thieves missed an old film container that I’d filled with quarters. Remember those? I used to save quarters for the coin laundry machines when camping in them. They stole the rest of the money but left that, about 10-12 bucks in quarters if memory serves. God provides 🙂
You are wrong my friend and Sundance is right. Online is merely a portion of the economy. All of those servers, retail clerks, etc in the brick and mortars will run out of money to buy online good as well soon if shoppers abandon the outside shopping world. So one good day will not save the season for the retailers. The tale has not been written yet and I bet the final chapter will prove Sundance correct. This is a massive recession wave coming and it hasn’t even hit us yet. This is the part of the tsunami where the water is outflowing.
Proving that Dant is being an insufferable d***, as usual.
The wife and I aren’t buying anything for each other.
We have bought the kids stuff, and we will buy a tree this week.
But seriously, we can’t afford to buy each other gifts,
unless we want to use credit cards for them.
Which we won’t do.
This is the roughest Christmas I can remember.
Our money, that used to afford the things, doesn’t anymore.
Hubs and I have never exchanged gifts, although we married later in life and it wasn’t a first marriage for either of us.
Same with us, been married 45 years. Yes, as always we mailed presents for the kids and grandkids. We live rural small town WA north coast. Our children live out of area. We have good health and am thankful for each other. We take walks together
My suggestion to everyone is to go to the stores this season for one final look-around and to say “goodbye.” American retail as we know it is about to come to an end. Stores filled with a wide selection of goods are in their final days. It is all happening WAY faster than I thought it would, and who knows what will be left of it by 2024. Probably not much.
That is when we will hijack Build Back Better, eject those who are in control, and build it back OURS. Fortress America, the rest of the world can take care of itself, and we ain’t paying the national debt the bankers ran up so forget about it.
I hope you’re right, but the book of Revelation gives me pause……
The local gun shop and shooting range in Fort Myers, Fl. was pretty busy on Black Friday. I suspect gun sales are up nationwide. People are preparing for any possible violence or chaos that may ensue when our economy collapses.
Guess they shopped online.
Shoppers spent a record-breaking $9.12 billion online on Black Friday amid rising inflation, according to Adobe Analytics data.The massive spending marked a 2.3 percent rise — especially in electronics.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/11/shoppers-spent-record-9-12-billion-online-black-friday-amid-growing-inflation/
If prices are higher due to inflation then people actually bought fewer item but they cost more thus, getting the record breaking amount.
For example, they could announce “People spend a record-breaking amount filling up their gas tanks every week!!” Are we just that flush with cash that we take extra trips and vacations? OR is the price of gas simply much more expensive?
WHY and HOW people are spending more money on products and services is critical to the discussion. These headlines are for the low info people.
Our Democrat Masters won’t stop until we’re all as miserable as they are. Even then, they won’t stop. Because for reasons known only to Providence, no one is lifting a finger to stop them.
Stores and malls in eastern iowa this weekend look like ghost towns. No one is buying anything excessive. They are buying gasoline and groceries.
While shopping I stated that I believe 2023 is setting up as a horrible year economically. I was looked as if I have 3 heads, and they tried to block and deflect the message (did you hear buck there he goes again he’s crazy).
I see a lot of rigid, conditioned people in deep denial of a fundamental and not-good economic reset, and belief that it all ‘will get back to normal’ any day now.
There caption in the news video report was incorrect. It said “Lackluster Black Friday for Shoppers” when the word Shoppers should have been replaced with Stores. If what happened this weekend continues many will be out of business after their 1st of the year. Just as was planned by The Green Raw Deal.
People using fossil fuels to heat/cool and power their homes, businesses and driving to and from them must be punished and ended.
Owning a fossil fuel automobile = Liberty and it to must be destroyed.
I have a great idea. Why not blame ‘climate change’ on the reduced number of shoppers???
The mall in the big town where i live south of was almost empty when in previously the parking would be out to the street. FJB.
Ha! ha!ha! It really breaks my heart.
8% growth in this level of inflation is actual contraction. The “official” numbers are so far off the mark from what is seen on the ground, or grocery aisle, that nobody is believing their frothy lies. Food has shot up beyond the 20% range. Friday, I took my mom “shopping” to Marshall’s and a few others, and the stores were nowhere close to what they should be. They were about as full as on a Saturday in July, before COVID. Add to that the bloated inventories, and I can’t see the merchants making money. January inventory tax will be crippling and it may trigger additional layoffs.
This is not only Slow Joe’s fault, but it is on every idiot who voted against Trump and Trumpian. Do not miss a chance to express your appreciation to them.
I certainly hope their progeny is full of various non-reproducing pronouns.
I’m a disabled senior on a VERY tiny SS pension. Christmas shopping for me is a pipe dream.
Speaking of SS, we have relatives that are giddy about the SS cola increase. They don’t realize that it won’t cover the true inflation percentage increase.
Yep, I get by on less than a grand a month SS. However, the body still works so I was out cutting down a dead cedar tree yesterday which will heat the house for a few days. Three more to go in that group then it’s on to others. Good exercise. Running the chain saw keeps my mind on the Communists too. Cut, cut.
Burning that tree will cetainly smell good, Dunes. 🙂
At 75 years old I still use my Stihl, wood heat is the best. I use a froe to split cedar kindling and maul/wedge for the Doug fir. The north coast of WA has lots of wood and it all smells so good. Cheers
Outlets in Grove City PA had lines out the door. Every parking spot was taken.
I went to Walmart yesterday AM to pick up some grocery and cleaning items. I was speaking with the cashier about how it was quieter than usual for a early Saturday, I remarked that it “must be that everyone went on Black Friday.”
She told me that they used to have lines when they opened on Black Friday, but this year they had almost as many cashiers as customers and that it was very slow on Friday...To the Biden Administration and the media: “there’s your sign”…Bill Engvall
People may have just been AVOIDING the mess that is Black Friday! Did anyone think of that? For example, I needed to get food for my stray cats at PetSmart. I normally go early afternoons on Saturdays, so I can say hi to the local cat ladies conducting adoptions for an area feline rescue. Yesterday, I didn’t; yesterday, I went to PetSmart in the morning soon after they opened. Why? Because that mall is a zoo on a normal Saturday, and I didn’t want to be there the day after Black Friday. In fact, I’ve never gone shopping on Black Friday! Why? Because I want to avoid the drama and BS that goes along with it…
Some folks just refuse to see what’s really happening.
yeas a person who can think
Yes. of course. But watch the Zen Master KJP spin it into Nirvana.
My mother broke her Consumer Cellular phone on Thanksgiving. Target is the only nearby retailer. My mother is 85 and it’s her only phone. I had to replace it on Black Friday. I ended up going to two different Targets. Got the second space from the door at one of them. No lines. Lots of cashiers. Employees standing around chatting. Even if all the traffic moved online, we’re in trouble I think.