Black Friday spending strong in the US, but how they're paying is changing

Gains in sales of apparel helped US retail sales on Black Friday climb from last year. (Image: WSJ)

Mon, 27 Nov 2023

By Suzanne KapnerRetailers aren’t just having trouble getting shoppers to buy sweaters and other holiday items this season. Store credit cards are also a tougher sell.The cards, which typically can only be used at a particular chain, have been a lucrative source of revenue for retailers as merchandise sales have slowed. But the stream is drying up as Americans carry fewer cards and increasingly finance purchases with buy now, pay later providers. Interest rates surpassing 30% on some retailers’ credit cards aren’t helping...

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