Holiday deals were in full effect as shoppers flocked to malls across North Texas, even amid high inflation rates and an increase in online shopping.
People had plenty of deals to seek out as they shopped from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.
According to the National Retail Federation (NFR), an estimated 166.3 million people planned to shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year.
“While there is much speculation about inflation’s impact on consumer behavior, our data tells us that this Thanksgiving holiday weekend will see robust store traffic with a record number of shoppers taking advantage of value pricing,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.
“We are optimistic that retail sales will remain strong in the weeks ahead, and retailers are ready to meet consumers however they want to shop with great products at prices they want to pay,” he continued.
More than two-thirds (69%) of holiday shoppers planned to shop during Thanksgiving weekend this year. The top reasons for consumers were because the deals are too good to pass up (59%), because of tradition (27%), or because it is something to do (22%) over the holiday, according to a survey taken by the NRF.
“I don’t shop at the moment just saving money, but I know it has been more difficult because three to four things at the grocery store are easily $25 plus these days,” Erick Zamora told The Dallas Express. “I prefer shopping in person if it will save some jobs, but online is pretty convenient.”
Even with inflation numbers hovering at 7.7% according to the Consumer Price Index Calculator, inflation will not deter shoppers from getting out and taking advantage of all the deals that are going on.
“I just feel like at the end of the day inflation happens, and going through depression and recession, you still have to spend money regardless,” Alysia Cromwell told The Dallas Express while shopping with family members at Hillside Village in Cedar Hill, Texas.
“You do what you have to do, you still have to buy things, you still have to live, eat, and get gas, buy clothes, you really don’t have a choice,” Cromwell continued.
The next release of the Consumer Price Index report will be on December 13.
For consumers planning to do holiday shopping at small stores, malls, or online, experts say finding the best deals includes doing research, using an online price tracker, and checking if the store has a price-matching policy.