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Black Friday Deals Poised to Disappoint as Demand Swamps Supply
- Tight inventories, flush consumers will keep lid on bargains
- Industry bets fewer deals boost margins, while keeping demand
Shoppers in New York during last year’s Black Friday.
Photographer: Gabriela Bhaskar/BloombergHoliday shoppers beware: Black Friday deals are shaping up to be underwhelming.
Seasonal discounts on electronics, sporting goods and appliances are all shallower than last year, according to Adobe Inc., amid tight inventories, robust consumer spending and rising inflation. The tools and home improvement category is even less appealing so far with no holiday bargains at all on balance, based on Adobe’s comparison of online price changes in 2020 and 2021 between Oct. 1 and Nov. 6.