New York shoppers were hampered in their last-minute Christmas shopping by pro-Palestine protesters who promised that there would be “no business as usual during a genocide.”
More than 142 million shoppers are expected across America today for Super Saturday shopping, but those in the Empire State didn't just have to contend with the crowds.
Huge crowds were seen on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and another protest also hit Long Island's largest mall, chanting, “The people are united.”
Large bloodied effigies of President Biden and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu were paraded past Fifth Avenue shops while the sidewalks were filled with families carrying Christmas presents.
Some of the activists appeared to belong to the groups Mothers for Justice in Palestine and the Long Island chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which shared plans on Instagram this week to “denounce the companies that profit from their ties to Palestine.” . Apartheid state.'
Protesters said this week that the demonstration was intended to disrupt holiday shoppers and vowed that there would be “no business as usual during a genocide.”
According to a purported press release about the demonstrations, the purpose of the rally is to “urge Christmas shoppers to engage in targeted boycotts this holiday season.”
Crowds were seen filling shopping malls and unfurling large banners with names of organizations allegedly collaborating with Israel.
Protesters decided to start their demonstrations on what experts believe will be the second-busiest shopping day of the year.
Shoppers elsewhere in America are getting into the holiday spirit as businesses expect more than 142 million shoppers to be desperate for a last-minute gift on Super Saturday.
While the last Saturday before Christmas is usually busy, bargain hunters have even more to look forward to this year as Super Saturday also falls on December 23rd for the first time since 2017.
According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 16 million Americans are buying more Christmas presents today than they did last Christmas Eve six years ago, despite coming off a year of soaring inflation.
Pro-Palestine activists march while participating in a global strike for Gaza in New York City on December 18, 2023
Over 142 million shoppers are expected to shop on 'Super Saturday' – also known as 'Panic Saturday' – to find their last-minute gifts before Christmas
The last Saturday before Christmas hasn't fallen on December 23 since 2017, which is why this year's jam-packed day trip attracted an estimated 16 million more shoppers than six years ago
With Super Saturday – also known as “Panic Saturday” – so close to Christmas this year, many consumers are planning to purchase their last-minute gifts in person rather than online.
About 37 percent of Super Saturday shoppers, about 53 million people, expect to make their final purchases exclusively in stores this year, compared to just 28 percent last year, according to the NRF.
However, with the 2022 edition taking place a full eight days before Christmas, this time last year over 158 million Americans flooded high streets and malls in search of the perfect gift.
Although there are expected to be over 15 million fewer people this year, it is still expected to be the second biggest shopping day of the year – only surpassed by Black Friday.
“Shoppers have the luxury of taking an entire weekend before the holiday to secure last-minute gifts, driving foot traffic and driving transactions,” Joe Shasteen, global manager of advanced analytics at RetailNext, told Axios .
Thanks to this helpful combination of factors that throw shoppers off guard, only 22 percent of Super Saturday shoppers plan to shop exclusively online.
“This year, Super Saturday is really geared toward last-minute shoppers,” said Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategy at Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“A majority of consumers also plan to buy their final gift in the week leading up to Christmas.”
Those who didn't leave presents for their loved ones late: At the beginning of December, Christmas shoppers said they had already picked up half (49 percent) of the items on their list.
But because so many people feel like their relatives are hard to shop for, 36 percent of those who still had half of their lists left said they were still deciding what to buy.
Black Friday was the busiest shopping day of the year as nearly 200 million shoppers searched for deals, but the NRF found that many avoided buying their holiday gifts early because they expected better deals to be available during the holiday season.
When surveyed over Thanksgiving weekend, 85 percent of shoppers said they also avoided holiday gifts and would rather wait for a bargain.
Department stores are expected to see the most non-online customers at 38 percent, compared to 28 percent of shoppers choosing discount stores, 26 percent choosing clothing stores and 19 percent choosing grocery stores.
It was also found earlier this month that American families plan to spend an average of $975 on Christmas gifts this year. Households with children spend an average of $1,306, while households without children spend $835.
It was also found earlier this month that American families plan to spend an average of $975 on Christmas gifts this year. Households with children spend an average of $1,306, while households without children spend $835
At stores in Indianapolis, Indiana, shoppers can be seen preparing for last-minute purchases before Christmas Day. Officials expect Saturday to be the second-busiest shopping day of the year after Black Friday
Among those who have already made a purchase, clothing was the top most popular purchase at 50 percent, followed by toys at 34 percent.
Holiday sales are expected to continue after the 25th, as 70 percent of consumers say they plan to shop the following week to make the most of holiday sales and take advantage of gift cards.
Sixteen percent of people also said they expected to shop the following week because they would exchange or return holiday items they no longer needed.
According to NRF, purchases this year are expected to grow 3 to 4 percent compared to 2022 numbers, totaling up to $966 billion.
In 2022 this was $929 billion.
The NRF said its survey asked 7,973 adult consumers about their holiday shopping plans. It was conducted Dec. 1-6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.