Black Friday: Shoppers Brave Economic Wobbles for Deals

The U. S. economy is feeling a bit shaky, but that isn't stopping shoppers from gearing up for Black Friday. Even with worries about tariffs and a recent drop in consumer confidence, people are still ready to spend. Companies are feeling the pinch from tariffs on imported goods. Some have chosen to absorb these extra costs rather than raise prices for customers. Instead, they've slowed down hiring. Even with these economic jitters, big retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have reported solid sales. But shoppers are being picky, focusing on the best deals. Take Aron Boxer, for example. He's holding off on buying a car because of tariff worries. He plans to hunt for toy deals on Cyber Monday, but he's also willing to wait for the best discounts. He's not alone in feeling the tariff squeeze.Malls are seeing a lot of foot traffic, even more than before the pandemic. The Mall of America is kicking off Black Friday with giveaways to early birds. The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will hit between $1. 01 trillion and $1. 02 trillion, a decent increase from last year. Online shopping has also been strong, with a 7. 5% increase in sales from last year. Tariffs have changed how stores stock and price their goods. Many brought in holiday merchandise early to avoid extra costs. Still, some of those costs have trickled down to shoppers, especially on toys.