KANSAS CITY BLACK FRIDAY BUSTED!!!

Early reports are back from TOP ECHELON KANSAS CITY INSIDERS and it seems that this day dedicated to shopping wasn't as impressive as so many locals had expected and hoped. 

To wit . . . 

CALL IT "STILL IN THE RED FRIDAY" AS KANSAS CITY CROWDS & SALES DISAPPOINT AFTER THANKSGIVING!!!

Don't worry . . . It gets worse . . . 

Local merchants across the metro not only had to contend with lower spending forecasts BUT ALSO confronted fear of crime and gunfire following recent shootings at Independence Center and Oak Park Mall. 

Finally . . . 

Ongoing concerns over inflation continue to impact the local economy and discretionary spending seems to have moved to food budgets as families and workers struggle to keep refrigerators filled rather than allocating dwindling resources toward gifts. 

Accordingly . . . 

Here's a reporting and data that backs up the bad news that we're hearing from scaled down marketplaces and shopping centers at the end of this disappointing day for local biz . . .

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. Discounts in October and November removed the excitement and urgency of Black Friday.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

US retailers hope to draw picky Black Friday shoppers to stores

Retailers are hoping forecasts for a cool, dry Black Friday across much of the U.S. will drive millions of shoppers to their stores in the kickoff to the key holiday shopping season.

Kansas City police stress Black Friday safety after shootings

A series of violent incidents at Kansas City-area shopping centers have police advising customers to use discretion as they shop on Black Friday.

Retailers step up Black Friday deals to with consumers on tighter budgets in mind

Consumers are coming under pressure as their savings dwindle and their credit card debt grows. Despite some relief from easing inflation, many goods and services like meat and rent are still far higher than they were just three years ago.

Consumers grow cautious about holiday spending as inflation, debt shorten shopping lists

Americans are more cautious ahead of the holiday shopping season as they grapple with inflation, dwindling savings and rising debt.

Developing . . .