NEW YORK (AP) — Stores stepped up discounts and other enticements on Black Friday to entice shoppers holding out for the best deals. Many retailers ordered fewer goods for this holiday season and pushed holiday sales earlier in October than last year to help shoppers spread out their spending. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesBut this year, retailers said more shoppers are focusing on deals and waiting until the last minute. Salesforce said online sales rose 1% to about $7.5 billion year-over-year on Thanksgiving, as retailers offered better deals. The group has forecast that U.S. holiday sales will rise 3% to 4% for November through December, compared with a 5.4% growth of a year ago.

---

Persons: Yvonne Carey, Michael Kors, Cary, ” Carey, Jeff Gennette, Macy's, Gennette, Kohl’s, Brian Cornell, Salesforce, Sensormatic, Marshal Cohen, “, ” Cohen, ‘, Alexandra Olson, Anne Organizations: Herald, Macy’s Herald, Associated Press, Disney Princess, Target, New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, Global, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Solutions Locations: Manhattan, Macy’s, New Jersey, New York City, U.S, New York