Record number of payments during Black Friday, PostNL warns of delays

“For three years in a row, Dutch consumers have bought significantly more on Black Friday than the year before,” the organization reports. According to the platform, 78 percent of all transactions in the Netherlands are iDEAL payments.

Packages later than normal

PostNL has also noticed that Dutch people used their cards more often. The company warns of delays in the delivery of packages, although a spokeswoman emphasizes that there are currently no delays. In the days after Black Friday, the company must deliver roughly 2 million packages per day. That’s twice as much compared to a normal day.

In the United States, things were a bit quieter compared to previous years. Consumers looking for discounted electronics, clothing and home goods as the holiday shopping season kicks off are crucial for major retailers.

High inflation

According to market experts, many consumers already did their shopping last month, because companies were already offering many discounts at that time. “People already have what they want. You can only buy so many big TVs and voice-activated assistants,” says an American retail expert from Huntington Private Bank.

Many Americans are slowing down with their purchases due to high inflation and interest rates. Retail chains are expected to continue offering discounts for the rest of the year to get rid of their stocks.