A long — and crowded — weekend expected as 182 million plan to go shopping

NEWS AND OPINION:

The tradition lives on — and then some.

“An estimated 182 million people are planning to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the annual survey released Monday,” the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics advise.

This figure is 15.7 million more people than the number listed last year and is the highest estimate for shopping participation since the survey was launched in 2017, according to the groups’ new research.

Shoppers expect to spend up to $966.6 billion, according to the federation’s calculations, up from $929.5 billion in 2022.

It’s all good.

“The Thanksgiving holiday weekend marks some of the busiest shopping days of the year, as consumers enjoy the tradition of shopping for the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones. Retailers have been preparing for months for this occasion,” said Matthew Shay, National Retail Federation president.

“They are stocked and ready to help customers find the gifts and other items they want at great prices during the entire holiday season,” he said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

According to the survey, 74% of holiday shoppers plan to shop during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend this year — up from 69% in 2019. The top reasons consumers plan to shop during this period are because the deals are “too good to pass up” (61%) and because the actual act of shopping during the five-day period has become a “tradition,” this cited by 28% of the respondents.

Black Friday continues to be the most popular day of the year to shop, with 72% — an estimated 130.7 million shoppers — planning to hit the stores, up from 69% in 2022. Cyber Monday is the second most popular day, attracting 39% (71.1 million) of those planning to shop over the weekend, on par with 38% last year.

The survey asked 8,424 U.S. adult consumers about their holiday shopping plans, and was conducted Nov. 1-6.

TRUMP’S IN ON IT

Well, he’s a businessman after all.

Former President Donald Trump has an active website called TrumpStore.com — and it is indeed participating in Black Friday bargains with reduced prices.

The collection is sizable, offering apparel, candles, pet supplies, stocking stuffers, gold-themed items, kitchen accessories — which include ice cube trays which produce ice cubes shaped in a “T.”

Find it all at TrumpStore.com.

FAITH LEADERS FOR TRUMP

The religious community in Iowa has stepped up for former President Donald Trump.

“Over 150 faith leaders in the Hawkeye State have officially endorsed Mr. Trump for re-election,” according to a statement from Mr. Trump’s campaign released Wednesday.

“President Trump’s broad appeal amongst Iowa’s evangelical community is a testament to his unwavering commitment to upholding faith and family values. Since the launch of the President’s faith coalition in Iowa just three weeks ago, the number of faith leaders endorsing his candidacy has surged by more than 50, demonstrating a rapidly growing grassroots organization within the Christian community,” the statement said.

“Policies protecting religious freedom and promoting moral values have been a cornerstone of President Trump’s leadership. His Administration consistently advocated for issues critical to people of faith, including the protection of religious liberties, the defense of life, and the support of family values,” it noted.

“The overwhelming support from Iowa’s faith leaders is a clear indication of President Trump’s unwavering commitment to the principles and values that are important to people of faith,” said Dan McCoy, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Urbandale.

“This announcement is not just a number; it’s a powerful message that faith communities trust President Trump to lead our nation forward with integrity and moral clarity,” Mr. McCoy said.

Joseph Hall, senior pastor at Crossroads Church in Council Bluffs, said that “as a pastor in Iowa, I believe President Trump has demonstrated a profound understanding of the issues that are crucial to us.”

“His policies have been instrumental in protecting our religious freedoms and nurturing the moral fabric of our nation. No one has fought harder for our nation, for our future, and for our faith than President Trump,” Mr. Hall said.

ONE FOR KARI

Rep. Cory Mills, Florida Republican, has endorsed Kari Lake in her bid for U.S. senator from Arizona.

“She is a proven fighter and mom on a mission. Kari will work tirelessly to secure the border, rebuild our military, restore American Energy Independence, and take care of our veterans. Her two Democrat opponents have been a rubber stamp for Joe Biden’s reckless agenda. Kari will restore sanity and put Arizona First,” Mr. Mills said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

Ms. Lake was grateful.

“I am honored and humbled to have the endorsement of Congressman Cory Mills. He served our country honorably in the military and fought for our freedoms. Cory has led the fight for America First policies in Congress and pushed back against Joe Biden’s dangerous policies. I am grateful for his friendship and support,” she said.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: The Farralone Residence, an “iconic” Mid-Century Modern estate built in 1951 on four acres in Chatsworth, California. Four bedrooms, seven baths, grand parlor with floor-to-ceiling glass walls; 6,660 square feet. Former Hollywood filming location; features formal dining and sitting rooms, three fireplaces, chef’s kitchen, garden views from all sides, 50-foot in-ground pool, pergola, terraces, stone walkways; mountain and city views, majestic pines and adjacent 1,000 acre nature reserve. Priced at $8.9 million through Theagencyre.com; enter 23-328625 in the search function.

POLL DU JOUR

• 13% of U.S. adults would describe their own political viewpoint as “very conservative.”

• 19% would describe their viewpoint as “conservative.”

• 34% would describe their viewpoint as “moderate.”

• 14% would describe their viewpoint as “liberal.”

• 9% would describe the viewpoint as “very liberal.”

• 11% are not sure what their political viewpoint is.

SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 18-20.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.