🛍️ Black Friday or Black November?
How Inflation, Tariffs, and Consumer Trends Are Redefining Holiday Spending
Which days make up the famous Cyber Five in 2024?
Is U.S. fiscal policy tightening wallets faster than a Black Friday checkout line?
How are Europeans navigating their holiday budgets?
Is the U.S.-China trade war fighting inflation or fuelling it?
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🛒 Black Friday has become Black November?
Black Friday isn’t just a one-day event anymore. Retailers in the West are stretching their seasonal discounts into weeks-long sales events to keep consumers spending. Enter Cyber Five—the five-day shopping bonanza from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. This period has become a key measure of retail sales and consumer confidence in the economy.
In the U.S., major players like Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Macy’s are rolling out deep discounts early under the Black Friday banner. According to eMarketer, online retail sales during Cyber Five in the U.S. are projected to hit USD $41.43 billion in 2024—a steady 5% growth rate compared to previous years.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. As EY Parthenon’s Gregory Daco notes, retailers are working hard to attract both budget-conscious shoppers with discounts and wealthier consumers during this extended shopping window. The challenge? High prices are still frustrating many consumers despite easing inflation, and confidence remains well below historical averages. Looking ahead, economists warn that a potential new round of tariffs under Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency could reignite inflationary pressures, further dampening consumer sentiment.🎄💸
🎄 Holiday Spending in Europe: Who's Tightening Their Belts?
Rising prices aren’t just a U.S. headache—Europeans are also feeling the pinch this holiday season. A 2022 survey shows how inflation is reshaping Black Friday and Christmas spending:
UK: The Grinch stole Christmas budgets —40.1% plan to cut all expenses, the highest in Europe.
Spain & France: About 32% in both countries are slashing their spending entirely. France gets the “most dramatic” award, with 16.4% cutting most expenses compared to Spain's 12.2%.
Italy: They’re holding on to their holiday cheer—46.1% plan no cuts, proving optimism is still alive.
Germany: The true champs! A whopping 52.9% of Germans refuse to cut back, making them the least affected by inflation blues.
With rising prices across the board, are you tightening your belt this season or keeping the festive cheer alive? Vote below!
When it comes to consumer sentiment in the UK, price is king. In a recent survey on shopping decisions, the top four factors influencing UK consumers were all directly tied to price. Diversity, quality, and customer service? Nice to have, but apparently not enough to compete with a good bargain. It seems British shoppers have their priorities straight: why choose variety when you can choose value? 💷
Will extended discounts save the season, or are cautious wallets here to stay? 🎁 Time will tell!
Coming this Friday: We’ll dive into the performance of global retailers, breaking down their sales figures and stock prices. Ever wondered if your shopping sprees and your investment portfolio are secretly in sync? Stay tuned—you might just discover that your retail therapy habits have more financial implications than you thought! 🛍️📈
In Case You Missed It 📬
📊 6 Years of U.S.-China Trade War: Fighting Inflation or Feeding It?
With just 2 months until Trump’s inauguration, questions loom over the future of U.S.-China trade policies.
📈 U.S. Exports from China:
2018: $120.28B ➡️ 2023: $147.81B (+22.89%)
📉 U.S. Imports to China:
2018: $538.51B ➡️ 2023: $427.23B (-20.66%)
Sure, exports are up and imports are down, but the trade deficit remains massive. And inflation? It hit a 40-year high during the trade war, easing slightly in 2023—but still above pre-war levels.
Tariffs = Higher Prices? Designed to protect U.S. industries, tariffs also drove up consumer costs, worsening inflation. As Trump’s inauguration approaches, he promises tougher trade policies. What’s your take—have tariffs helped or hurt?
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