Money | Black Friday Black Friday a Bit of a Dud Holiday weekend shopping down 3% year over year By Kate Seamons Posted Dec 2, 2013 6:15 AM CST Updated Dec 2, 2013 7:03 AM CST Copied Black Friday shopper Chris Pelfrey, of Crossville, Tenn., catches some rest at West Town Mall on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/The Knoxville News Sentinel, J. Miles Cary) It wasn't exactly the Black Friday of retailers' dreams: Shoppers forked over about $1.7 billion—or 3%—less this holiday weekend, per the National Retail Federation. That figure is in spite of about 1% more people hitting the mall or Internet with their wallets open: Roughly 141 million people participated in Thursday through Sunday shopping, with the average amount each planned to spend clocking in at $407.02. That number last year, per the New York Times: $423.55. Among the reasons for the revenue drop: A much earlier start to the holiday sale season, which in some cases began in October. So was Black Thursday a dud? Not exactly, but it took a bit of the sheen off Black Friday. The LA Times reports that 45 million people turned out for Black Thursday shopping, up 27% over last year. Stores that were open Thursday performed well, "but a lot of it was at the expense of Black Friday," says ShopperTrak's founder. Sales for the two days were up 2.3% over the same two days last year, but Black Friday revenue actually sank 13.2%. And more openings on Thursday mean more employees to pay (at holiday rates). "Thursday is going to be a tough day to make any profit," adds the founder. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Report an error