First Data Releases Black Friday 2012 SpendTrend® Analysis

First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, has released its First Data SpendTrend^® analysis for Black Friday 2012 compared to Black Friday 2011. (SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, provided by both eCommerce merchants and retailers.)

The results highlight year-over-year retail dollar volume growth on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, because 5.6% more retailers started the holiday shopping season earlier and consumers took advantage of the opportunity to find bargains. (Note: top performing categories were building material, garden equipment and supply dealers, and clothing and clothing accessories.)

During the Thanksgiving to Black Friday period in 2012 average retail ticket growth turned around from a -0.9% drop in 2011 to a positive step of 1.9%.  The jump in average ticket prices also reflects the strengthening position of merchants who did not have to offer incentives at the expense of profits.

A summary of the findings is below:

Overall Retail Growth Rates	CHANGE
Dollar Volume	+5.6%
Transaction	+3.6%
Average Ticket	+1.9%
Note: All transactions are same-store growth.