Black Friday returns – but consumers’ spending habits have not

PLANO, Texas — Black Friday sales enticed inflation-weary consumers to snap up deals online in droves, though it was more of a mixed bag for brick-and-mortar retailers dangling deals on sneakers, TVs, smartphones and toys.

Though the significance of Black Friday is more of a state of mind now that its namesake promotions stretch across the holiday week and even earlier, online sales are already exceeding expectations: Consumers spent $6.1 billion on Thanksgiving Day alone, up 8.8 percent from last year, according to Adobe Analytics. They are projected to spend $10.8 billion on Black Friday. Meanwhile, foot traffic veered from steady to brisk for many retailers. The scene at one upscale mall in Dallas was reminiscent of Black Fridays past, complete with long lines to get into stores like LEGO, Glossier and Sephora.