Thanksgiving spurs U.S. retail peak, boosting e

Retail Sector Reaches Consumption Peak, "Black Friday" Outperforms the Market

As Thanksgiving approaches, "Black Friday" is about to kick off the holiday shopping season in the United States. The retail sector has become the market's focus, with the S&P Retail ETF ($XRT) rising for three consecutive days last week, reaching the highest in nearly three years. Data shows that over the past decade, the retail sector's performance during "Black Friday" has typically surpassed the S&P 500 Index, making retail stocks attractive to investors.

Optimistic Holiday Spending, Average Expenditure Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels

According to Morgan Stanley's consumer survey this month, about 35% of American respondents expect their holiday shopping expenses this year to be higher than last year. Meanwhile, Deloitte's data indicates that this year's average holiday spending is projected to be $1,778, up 8% year-on-year, significantly exceeding pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This optimistic consumption outlook injects confidence into the retail sector.

Significant E-commerce Growth Trend, Online Channels Dominate

Besides the increase in total consumption, holiday shopping methods are also changing. Deloitte's survey shows that 71% of consumers plan to shop online, highlighting the importance of electronic retail channels. The dominant position of e-commerce platforms in the holiday shopping season is increasingly solidified, and online sales will continue to be a key driver of retail growth.

Retail Stocks See Investment Boom

Driven by the rebound in consumer confidence and strong holiday spending expectations, U.S. retail stocks have recently performed remarkably. Investors are actively positioning themselves in the retail sector, betting that the consumption peak season will bring strong results.

Consumer Data May Influence Market Sentiment

In the coming week, the performance of the U.S. retail sector will be closely watched. Holiday consumption data not only relates to the performance of retail companies but may also affect overall economic growth expectations. Against the backdrop of joint efforts from both e-commerce and offline channels, the retail sector is poised to demonstrate strong growth momentum in the holiday season.

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