Holiday season off to modestly positive start as traffic remains steady through the weekend

Holiday season off to modestly positive start

NEW YORK — The nation’s retailers and malls are reporting a respectable start to the holiday season.

Traffic remained steady throughout the weekend after shoppers crowded stores for morning specials Friday. Store sales for the day rose 0.5 percent.

ComScore is reporting that online sales for the combined Thanksgiving and Black Friday rose 11 percent.

Analysts and store executives say that shoppers were focusing on necessities like coats, boots and cookware.

Black Friday doesn’t predict the holiday shopping season. But analysts dissect receipts to figure out shoppers’ spending habits.