Former Toys R Us CEO Jerry Storch assesses the state of retail on Maria Bartiromo s Wall Street
This year, Americans are expected to spend $760 million on holiday gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.
That’s a lot of socks. But not all gifts are created equal, and some presents can benefit doctors on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, help the homeless, and even add trees to the rain forest.
Whether consumers are in the American heartland or the heart of Manhattan, each person can play a role in helping make the world a little bit better by purchasing from one of the organizations featured on websites like Gifts for Good.
The number of expected shoppers on the day, which is known as Super Saturday, includes those planning to shop in stores and buy online, NRF said. The trade group said this marks the second-highest figure reported since NRF began tracking the Super Saturday statistic in 2016. Last year, Super Saturday fell just four days before Christmas, but this year it s nearly a week before the holiday.
Its survey also found that of those people planning to shop on Super Saturday this year, 42% are planning to do so online only, avoiding crowded malls and stores.
The fact that a record number of American consumers will be using the upcoming weekend to finish buying gifts will put additional pressure on retailers and carriers including UPS and FedEx, which have already been strained by the glut of online orders coming through during the pandemic. Some industry experts have coined the pressures the industry is facing this holiday season as shipageddon.
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Author Bio
Reuben Gregg Brewer believes dividends are a window into a company s soul. He tries to invest in good souls.
I watched real estate investment trust (REIT)
W.P. Carey (NYSE:WPC) for several years before I pulled the trigger and bought the stock. But now that I own it, my plan is to never sell it. The reason boils down to one boring old investment approach that won t excite anyone. But the thing is, when it comes to this REIT, a single word can t fully describe how incredible a company W.P. Carey is.
Doing a lot all at once
The Covid-19 vaccine rollout continues across the U.S. Tuesday. The first shots of Pfizer s two-dose vaccine, administered to health care workers, were met with applause and relief Monday. While the rollout is an encouraging new chapter in the country s fight against the coronavirus, it ll still be a few months until the general public can line up at a doctor s office or a neighborhood drugstore to get the shot. Health experts caution social distancing and masks are key to preventing viral spread in the meantime.
The U.S. is recording at least 215,400 new Covid-19 cases and at least 2,300 virus-related deaths each day, based on a seven-day average calculated by CNBC using Johns Hopkins University data.