U.S. shoppers spend billions over Thanksgiving weekend

 WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- A record 247 million U.S. shoppers visited stores and websites over Thanksgiving weekend, up from 226 million last year, according to an industry survey released on Sunday.

Total spending reached an estimated 59.1 billion U.S. dollars over the "Black Friday weekend", including Thanksgiving Day and the following Black Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said the National Retail¹ Federation² (NRF) survey conducted by BIGinsight. The average holiday shopper spent 423 dollars this weekend.

"From green beans to great deals, millions of Americans found time this Thanksgiving to make the most of retailers³' promotions⁴ and enjoy a special family holiday," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. The average holiday shopper spent 423 dollars this weekend, up from 398 dollars last year.

The survey also found that only on Thanksgiving Day more than 35 million Americans visited retailers' stores and websites, up from 29 million last year, and on Black Friday 89 million consumers shopped on-line and in stores, up from 86 million last year.

Holiday shoppers cannot wait for the shopping bonanza⁵. The survey found 28.0 percent of shoppers were at the stores by midnight on Black Friday, compared to 24.4 percent last year. They also spent more of their budget on-line. The average person spent 172.42 dollars on-line, or roughly 40.7 percent of their total weekend spending, up from 37.8 percent last year.

Among the four-day weekend, 27.0 percent of holiday shoppers said they shopped on-line on Thanksgiving Day, and 47.5 percent on Black Friday. "It's clear that consumers still recognize Black Friday as one of the biggest shopping days of the year, as they have for decades," said BIGinsight Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow.

The survey, conducted on Nov. 23 to 24, polled 4,005 consumers. It was estimated that 139.4 million unique U.S. adult consumers shopping in stores or on-line over multiple days.

Thanksgiving weekend marks the beginning of the holiday season through December, when retailers keep customers excited with attractive promotions. The two-month retail sales account for nearly a quarter of the whole year revenue, said the NRF.

1 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

2 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

3 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

4 promotions   

促进( promotion的名词复数 )； 提升； 推广； 宣传

参考例句：

• All services or promotions must have an appeal and wide application. 所有服务或促销工作都必须具有吸引力和广泛的适用性。
• He promptly directed the highest promotions and decorations for General MacArthur. 他授予麦克阿瑟将军以最高的官阶和勋奖。

5 bonanza   

n.富矿带，幸运，带来好运的事

参考例句：

• Bargain hunters enjoyed a real bonanza today.到处买便宜货的人今天真是交了好运。
• What a bonanza for the winning ticket holders!对于手持胜券的人来说，这是多好的运气啊。