A snowstorm put a stop to purchases in the northeastern United States on Sunday
A snowstorm put a stop to purchases in the northeastern United States on Sunday, but the rest of the country, consumers flocked to the malls to spend the prepaid cards they received as gifts and build settlements, then the best holiday season for stores since 2007. Washington should receive between 12 and 20 inches of snow, forecasters said. New York and New England could have even more between Sunday and Monday.
”The forecast kept many people at home. Not the best day for shopping,”said Scott A. Bernhardt, the weather research firm Planalytics.
As the storm comes after Christmas, the losses will affect less the retail sector last year, when a blizzard on the Saturday before Christmas stores cost about 2,000 million dollars. This time, the shops are extending their hours and sometimes bringing more products to sell. They are also offering sales to attract people back, but may be scarce goods cheaper in the most desirable. Sales are expected to remain strong next week, after the best holiday season for retailers since 2007, which was a record year. It forecast retail revenue growth of 3 to 4% for the season, the best percentage gain since 2006.
The period between December 26 and January 1 is less than 10% of the buying season of November 1 to December 31, but more than 15% of consumer spending on holiday shopping, according to research firm ShopperTrak . The discount chain Target Corp., which opened Sunday at 7 am, offering discounts of $ 10 for video games such as “ Just Dance 2”, 50% of many films on DVD and Blu-ray and 30% or More Toy.