business

Americans Spend $11.4 Billion in Biggest Shopping Day Ever

Macy’s. Photo: Chris Hondros/2009 Getty Images

Despite incidents of pepper-spraying and fighting among shoppers, consumers shelled out a whopping $11.4 billion on Black Friday this year, a 6.6 percent increase over last year’s total and a new record, according to research firm ShopperTrak. The figure reflects a boost in both online spending and in-store spending, which began as early as midnight Friday at many stores. “A solid Black Friday suggests the rest of the season should be pretty good,” said Ken Perkins of Retail Metrics. “Those who have jobs have been willing to spend.”