Thanksgiving weekend retail sales were up this year, according to most reports as of Sunday night.  Visa reported that sales using its cards on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving were up 15% over a year ago.  Within those numbers, sales in the specialty retail/gift/hobby channel were up 15.9%.  E-commerce grew dramatically, at a 32% pace over 2004. 

 

National Retail Federation estimates were for a 22% increase for the 2005 weekend over 2004.  One survey, conducted by ShopperTrak, reported that Friday sales were flat to down a hair vs. last year. 

 

Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, reported that its same store sales were up 4.3% for November over-all, with Friday sales better than expected.  The company entered the holiday season with both guns blazing (see 'Wal-Mart Plans Black Friday Blitz'), and offered to match advertised prices on any in-stock products, in addition to pricing aggressively on many popular toys and other products. 

 

Toys R Us is fighting back with exclusive products, as it did last year.  75% of its doorbuster specials this year were on merchandise available only at Toys R Us.