These Will be the 10 Busiest Shopping Days This Season

No surprise, Black Friday, Nov. 27, is once again predicted to be the biggest day for holiday shopping according to Sensormatic Solutions’ just-released annual ShopperTrak Analytics survey.

It will be followed by Super Saturday, Dec. 19, and the second Saturday in December, Dec. 12, which apparently has not earned its own catchy name yet. The top 10 busiest days are expected to account for between 30 percent and 40 percent of total holiday traffic, about the same as in previous years.

Sensormatic’s data also found that store visits may actually drop 3.5 percent versus a year ago, proving that different surveys may produce different results. "While individual visits have been trending downward throughout the year, conversion rates are rising,” said Grant Gustafson of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic. “Retailers that recognize the scope of the modern journey and lean on data to inform their approach will be more likely to get those high-intent shoppers through the doors on the days that matter most."

According to the company, during this past summer conversion rates increased 5.2 percent year-over-year while sales per shopper rose 4.8 percent, indicating shoppers are making more purchases with intention.

"Most purchase journeys now start online, meaning shoppers arrive with a clear idea of what they want in mind and choose retailers they trust to deliver that product with a seamless experience to match,” said Tony D’Onofrio, president of Sensormatic. “The sale is already done by the time they set foot in the store. The retailer’s job is to meet them at that moment: have the product ready, where it should be and at the right price. If you can do that, you’ll have a happy holiday season.”

Here are the top shopping days according to Sensormatic:

1. 1. Nov. 27 (Black Friday)

2. 2. Dec. 19 (Super Saturday)

3. 3. Dec. 12 (Second Saturday in Dec.)

4. 4. Dec. 26 (Boxing Day)

5. 5. Dec. 23 (Wednesday before Christmas)

6. 6. Dec 20. (Super Sunday)

7. 7. Nov. 28 (Saturday after Black Friday)

8. 8. Dec. 22 (Tuesday before Christmas)

9. 9. Dec. 5 (First Saturday in Dec.)

10. 10. Dec. 21 (Monday before Christmas)

For retailers in Canada, the pattern will be a little different, the company said, with these five days being the busiest:

1. 1. Dec. 26 (Boxing Day)

2. 2. Nov. 27 (Black Friday)

3. 3. Nov. 28 (Saturday after Black Friday)

4. 4. Dec. 19 (Super Saturday)

5. 5. Dec. 23 (Wednesday before Christmas)