Americans consumers spent less, on average, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday when compared with the same period in 2008, a Gallup Poll has found. Consumer spending averaged $82 daily, as against $96 last year.
Gallup Poll: The 2009 holiday retail season, which kicked off last Friday, has been marked by somewhat lower self-reported consumer spending than was seen during the comparable period a year ago. According to Gallup Daily tracking, daily consumer spending for the six-day period since Thanksgiving — spanning the Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday — averaged $82. This is down 15% from $96 for the same six-day period in 2008.
Each day, Gallup asks Americans to say how much money they spent “yesterday” in stores, gas stations, restaurants, or online — not counting home and vehicle purchases, and their normal monthly bills. The reduced retail spending at the outset of the holiday shopping season this year compared to last is most pronounced in the West, among young adults, and more specifically among men aged 18 to 39. Only slight, and not statistically significant, changes are seen by household income and parental status.
