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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

☆ The tug-of-war is on between deal-hungry shoppers and retailers wary of giving them throw-away prices on Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

So are the start-of-the-season deals enticing enough for shoppers or are they holding out in a cat-and-mouse game with retailers? Michael Brown, retail industry leader and partner with management consulting firm Kearney, said the much earlier-than-usual jumpstart to holiday sales this year could be to blame. Shoppers will be holding out for better deals,” he said. Kena Betancur/Getty ImagesTotal holiday sales this year are expected to come in softer compared to last year. He said there were plenty of 25% off Black Friday deals mall-wide and some deeper 40% off promotions for early-bird shoppers.

Persons: New York CNN —, Michael Brown, Kearney, ”, Brown, Emily Elconin, Marshal Cohen, ” Cohen, Barbie, Willing, they’ve, Kena Betancur, Brian Schroeder, Kendra Scott, “, Aeropostale, Aritzia, Shannon Stapleton, Marc Rosen, Rosen, ” Rosen, Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, “, Shoppers, Black, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Disney Little, Marvel, Macy's, Brookfield Properties, Brookfield Asset Management, Nike, Apple, Simon Property Group, JCPenney Locations: New York, Oaks, Michigan, New York , New York, La Cantera, San Antonio , Texas, Brookfield, Roosevelt, Garden City , New York, Penney

☆ With Black Friday deals and flashy displays, retailers try to convince reluctant shoppers to spend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And a steady drip of Black Friday deals, started early in November at many retailers, has also delayed the rush, as some shoppers bet that the best deals are still coming. Holiday shoppers spent 7% less in dollars and 6% less in units from mid-October to mid-November compared with the year-ago period, Circana found. Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesBlack Friday state of mindAmong the biggest themes this holiday season: shoppers are hungry for deals and willing to wait for them. "We're going to have a sustained drumbeat of great offers for the entire holiday season, starting this week," he said on a call with CNBC. Some retailers, such as Best Buy, are trying to rush shoppers to hit the "buy" button by dangling short-term sales.

Persons: Melissa Repko, Mario, Luigi, Nintendo's, Lowe's, Marshal Cohen, Circana, " Cohen, You've, you've, Barbie, Mario Tama, John David Rainey, Rainey, Steve Madden, Edward Rosenfeld, Marvin Ellison, Ellison, Corie Barry, Macy's Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Walmart, Nordstrom, Target, Dick's Sporting, Amazon's, NPD, Consumers, Getty, nab, Footwear, Shoppers, Disney Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Dallas, Los Angeles, Burbank , California

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are kicking off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a bevy of discounts and other enticements. 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. For the holiday 2021 season, sales for the two-month period surged 12.7%. Many retailers had already ordered fewer goods for this holiday season and have pushed holiday sales earlier in October than last year to help shoppers spread out their spending. But retailers said that many shoppers will be focusing more on deals and will likely wait until the last minute.

Persons: Brian Cornell, There’s, ”, Marc Metrick, Kohl's, Barbara Lindquist, That's, Lindquist, she’ll, “, Sensormatic, Marshal Cohen, ” Cohen, ‘, Anne Organizations: —, Shoppers, Walmart, Saks Fifth, Saks, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Solutions Locations: Hawthorne Woods , Illinois, Panama, U.S

☆ Holiday shopping: Months-long sale season may dilute the impact of Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The day after Thanksgiving historically has marked the start of the holiday shopping rush. This matters because the November-December gift-buying months combined can account for about 20%, or a sizable chunk, of retailers’ sales for the full year. Retailers this year trotted out early Black Friday-like deals weeks ahead of the annual day-after-Thanksgiving shopping bonanza. “It is a lengthier shopping season because retailers were rolling out early Black Friday deals as early as October. Walmart’s first round of early Black Friday deals included a 50-inch TV house brand for $148.

Persons: New York CNN —, “, ”, Marshal Cohen, Cohen, Yuki Iwamura, Adam Davis, Wells, they’ll, Cohen doesn’t, doorbusters, Julie Ramhold, ” Ramhold, Charlie Riedel, Walmart’s, “ I’m, Chromebooks Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Retail Federation, Getty, Retailers, “, ”, Shoppers, Apple, Valentine’s Locations: New York, AFP, Wells Fargo

☆ Consumers are still spending on nice things, if they’re on trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But they’re also rewarding the stores that are betting big on the right trends at the right time, for the right price. Mejuri: The Toronto-based jewelry retailer has intentionally positioned itself as a go-to destination for Millennials and GenZers for affordable fine jewelry. “When we founded the business, we wanted to redefine luxury and bring it a new experience within the fine jewelry industry,” said Masad. We just wanted to make fine jewelry part of everyday wear. We saw no reason for why there should be a barrier between fine jewelry and our customer.”He said Mejuri hasn’t wavered from that goal.

Persons: aren’t, they’re, ”, Jharonne Martis, —, Neil Saunders, Marshal Cohen, ” Abercrombie, Andrew Kelly, Saunders, Abercrombie, Fran Horowitz, Lulu, Circana’s Cohen, Noura Sakkijha, Majed Masad, Zach Hilty, Mejuri hasn’t, “ There’s, It’s, TJ, TJ Maxx, TJ Maxx's, David L, Ryan, Aaron Sorensen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Abercrombie, Fitch, “, CNN Business, TJ Maxx, TJ, Boston Globe, Lotis, Consulting Locations: New York, Toronto

☆ 'Ho hum holiday' expected as shoppers deal with economic cross currents
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Even though it’s still August, eyes are already on how the upcoming holiday shopping season will pan out. Coresight expects the 2023 year-end holiday sales for October through December to be up by just low single digits from a year ago. Harmon said this year’s forecast rests on the shoulders of “a couple of good years of strong holiday sales growth, making comparisons more difficult, and takes into account holiday spending is occurring sooner.”“The patterns of holiday spending have changed. The same pattern was repeated last year, effectively elongating the holiday sales season. At the same time, Harmon said US retail sales are slowing.

Persons: it’s, ”, John Harmon, Coresight, Harmon, Marshal Cohen, Cohen, ” Cohen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Coresight Research, National Retail Federation, Amazon, Walmart, Home, CNN, Federal Reserve Bank of New, P Global Market Intelligence Locations: New York, Santa, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ It’s a Barbie world — and pink is seeping into what we use, wear and eat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Just this week, a restaurant in Los Angeles debuted a vegan “Barbie roll,” created using pink soy paper. According to Circana, the week the movie hit theaters, Barbie products accounted for six of the top 10 doll items sold. In footwear, unit sales of pink sneakers for adults grew 15% in the second quarter versus a year ago. Elsewhere, Barbie-licensed book sales jumped 53% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2023, and up 44% compared to second quarter 2022. “The ‘Barbie’ movie has created excitement that is spanning a host of industries as Barbie fans of all ages are showing their love well beyond the movie,” said Cohen.

Persons: ”, Barbie, ” Marshal Cohen, Circana, Arriana McLymore, Cohen Organizations: New, New York CNN, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., ”, Reuters, Mattel Locations: New York, Angeles, Zara's Soho, New York City, Arriana

☆ Custom art, air purifiers and TikTok: College spending boom could booster retailers' sales this fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Eros Hoagland | Getty ImagesOver the past few years, Alicia Browne has noticed a change in what college students haul out of cars on move-in days at the University of Alabama. A growing pie — and market share up for grabsAs college spending is poised to grow, retailers have another reason to vie for students' dollars. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesIt is difficult to estimate how much college market share Bed Bath had in total. Shipt, the Target-owned delivery service, and Walmart have both tried to attract more college students to their membership programs by offering a special discounted price. She said the company's growth has been fueled by college students who want uniquely decorated rooms that reflect their personalities.

Persons: Eros Hoagland, Alicia Browne, Keurig coffeemakers, decorators, Browne, Prosper, Browne chalks, " Browne, Marshal Cohen, Jakub Porzycki, Harmon, Cristina Fernandez, Sonoma, TikTok, Dormify, Amanda Zuckerman, Zuckerman, Kate Reppeto, Callie Weathers Kate Reppeto, Repetto, she's, Anna Emblom Organizations: University of North, Hill, University of Alabama, College, National Retail Federation, IRI, NPD, Target, Walmart, Consulting, Deloitte, Nurphoto, Goods, Ikea, Telsey Advisory, Williams, Hamptons, Madison, University of Mississippi, Eagle Locations: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill , North Carolina, Kohl's, Bath, Bed, Williston , Vermont, New York City, Madison Ave, Oxford, Miss, Southlake, Dallas, Fort Worth in Texas, Birmingham, Ala

Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIt's not your imagination: Companies are getting stingier with customer rewards. Raising the barSome of the biggest shifts in customer perks have come in the airline industry. At many retailers, customers must now pay a return fee if they want to ship back unwanted clothing, shoes or other items. "To drive that online demand, free shipping and free returns were put in place, but now we all know it costs significant money," he said. Both companies aim to make sure membership isn't shared with people who aren't paying, particularly as the companies chase new avenues of growth.

Persons: Eva Marie Uzcategui, Dunkin, Cowen, David Garfield, Yuping Liu, Stephanie Keith, Marshal Cohen, Circana, Nordstrom, Christopher Dilts, Kohl's, Macy's, they're, Amit Sharma, Heidi Isern, Levi Strauss, Ann Taylor, Crocs, Brooks, reining Organizations: Brickell City Centre, Bloomberg, Getty, Retailers, Ross, uptick, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Old Dominion, Strome School of Business, LaGuardia, American Express, American, IRI, NPD, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie, Fitch, Nordstrom, Amazon, Foods, Netflix, Costco Locations: Brickell, Miami , Florida, Queens, New York, Delta, Schaumburg , Illinois

☆ Old Navy’s response to slumping sales: More pockets
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Old Navy, known for its low-priced basic and trendy seasonal clothing, has adopted an interesting sartorial tactic amid sinking sales. The new dress styles with pockets rolled out into Old Navy stores this month and the retailer said it will also increase the number of summer dresses with pockets. As such, it is a good move for Old Navy to add them,” said Neil Saunders, retail industry analyst and managing director of GlobalData. Old NavyOld Navy’s fourth-quarter sales fell 6% over the previous year, while sales at its stores open at least a year fell 7%. Specifically, Old Navy and Gap brands both said shoppers were pulling back their spending on babies’ and kids’ items.

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with NPD Group's Marshal Cohen
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with NPD Group's Marshal CohenMarshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor at market research firm NPD Group, joins ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss whether consumers have stopped spending or have moved on to spending different things. He also explains why 2023 will be the year of physical stores.

☆ People are spending more on groceries, pulling back on discretionary spending: NPD Group's Cohen
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPeople are spending more on groceries, pulling back on discretionary spending: NPD Group's CohenMarshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor at market research firm NPD Group, joins ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss whether consumers have stopped spending or have moved on to spending on different things. He also explains why 2023 will be the year of physical stores.

[1/2] Credit card is seen in front of displayed Visa logo in this illustration taken, July 15, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationJan 24 (Reuters) - U.S. card companies are expected to post the slowest revenue growth in seven quarters, as consumers tighten their purse strings and avoid spending on luxury and big-ticket items. Card firms pocket a small percentage of the dollar value of transactions and stand to lose out on fees if customers pivot away from buying luxury items. Shares in Visa, Mastercard and Amex closed last year between 3% and 10% lower. Mastercard and Visa are set to report quarterly results on Thursday, with AmEx rounding off the season on Friday.

☆ Few stores closed in 2022. UBS says get ready for that to change in 2023, starting with department stores
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

After a record number of store closures in 2020, retailers have shuttered far fewer doors over the last two years, but that may be about to change, especially for department stores, according to UBS. He also said that he believes the lack of store closures has made it harder for retailers to grow sales. Compares got tougher in 2Q22 as the industry lapped the big store closures. Our view is tough compares remain a reason Department Store sales will remain under pressure in the 1H23." Instead, he said, many store closures that would have occurred in 2021 or 2022 were accelerated by the pandemic.

☆ Holiday discounts are already hard to resist. The best bargains are yet to come
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Stores are drowning in a glut of merchandise this holiday season, keeping the discounts fast and furious in the runup to Christmas. With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, and Christmas Eve falling on the preceding Saturday, Super Saturday this year is on Dec. 17th. With eight days to go until Christmas Day, and drop-dead shipping deadlines approaching, people have a lot more buying to do. Well ahead of the final full weekend before Christmas, stores this year were already offering discounts of 50% to 60% off, and tacking on free shipping for online orders. “Retailers want to start selling for the next big holiday, which is Valentine’s Day,” said Davis.

☆ Gap's slowing sales of baby clothes indicate inflation is deeply hurting families
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —Customers are pulling back on spending at Gap and Old Navy — particularly in one specific category that shows just how much families are feeling inflation’s pinch. But Gap and Old Navy said Thursday they’re now seeing less spending on babies’ and kids’ items. “Old Navy customers still have a propensity to buy. More than a quarter said inflation motivated those purchases, and half of parents surveyed sold a secondhand item in the kids’ and baby items category. Mercari said parents of kids 2 and under are the most active secondhand shoppers, according to its survey.

☆ Big bargains will dominate the holiday season, but shoppers may not be sold
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Last holiday season, shoppers started buying gifts early to avoid out-of-stocks and shipping delays. Even with the bigger discounts, industry-watchers expect a muted holiday season because of households' stretched budgets. Consulting firm Bain & Co. forecasts growth of as much as 7.5% from last holiday season, but when adjusted for inflation, that is only 1% to 3%. Computers, the category that's expected to have the highest level of discounting during the holiday season, according to Adobe, has seen cooling demand. More items were on sale during backyard barbecue season than during peak holiday season a year ago.

☆ Expect big holiday sales on everything but the bling
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —Retailers have already signaled big sales are coming for the holidays — with one major, sparkly exception. That’s because holiday jewelry sales have been on fire over the last two years. “Jewelry is in good shape heading into this holiday season,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry adviser with NPD Group. “With no real overstock position, [jewelry] retailers are not anxious” and don’t see the need to run big sales, he said. Paul Zimnisky, an independent jewelry industry analyst, said Signet’s comments indicate that consumers should not expect big sales or liquidation deals.

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