Retailers have been offering discounts for weeks, but people still turned out in droves during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Nearly 190 million Americans shopped during the five days from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, up 14% from last year, according to a survey by National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
More than 6,700 people were surveyed, according to NRF. Shoppers spent an average of $361.90 in those five days, up about 16% from last year. And more people shopped online than in stores, NRF said. The strong numbers come as retailers face a shorter holiday shopping season. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is six days shorter than last year, and the shortest since 2013. Many retailers have been offering discounts earlier and for longer periods to get people in the mood to shop.