Holiday sales spree marks end of austerity

Published December 23, 2010 5:00am ET



It was days before Christmas, and all through the mall, Peter Marks toted not one iPad — nor two — but six iPads in all. “Most people’s portfolios are up, and I’m thinking it’s going to be a good year for the market,” said the 50-year-old McLean resident as he carried at least $3,000 worth of merchandise through Tysons Corner Center, packed with customers in the final days before Christmas.

Online speding soars
2010 holiday season to date vs. corresponding days* in 2009
  2009 2010 Change
Nov. 1 – Dec. 17 $24,504 $27,460 12%
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25) $318 $407 28%
Black Friday (Nov. 26) $595 $648 9%
Cyber Monday (Nov. 29) $887 $1,028 16%
Green Monday (Dec. 13) $854 $954 12%
Free Shipping Day (Dec. 17) $586 $942 61%
Week Ending Dec. 17 $4,819 $5,509 14%
**Dollars in millions
*Corresponding days based on corresponding shopping days (Nov. 2 thru Dec. 18, 2009)
Source: Comscore.com

As the Dow shot up 10 percent this year, and November and December sales erupted from the dormant profits of 2009, this holiday season marked the end of austerity. Retail profits are expected to jump 3.3 percent by season’s end, while online sales grew 12 percent over last year, as of Dec. 17.

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