Credit: Dan Berthiaume, plus reporting from the National Retail Federation (NRF) & Prosper Insights & Analytics

(November 26, 2025) — Even as retailers launch “Black Friday” promotions before Halloween and holiday deals stretch across nearly two months, the Friday after Thanksgiving still commands unmatched weight on the retail calendar. What began in the 1950s as a single kickoff day for holiday shopping has evolved into a five-day omnichannel marathon — but Black Friday remains the crown jewel.

Black Friday by the Numbers: A Market Retailers Can’t Ignore

Data continues to show that Black Friday is one of the biggest spending days of the year. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, U.S. retail sales on Black Friday 2024 rose 3.4% year-over-year, with online sales jumping 14.6% and in-store sales edging up 0.7%.

Consumers are planning to spend — whether retailers participate or not. A LendingTree survey shows 64% of Americans expect to shop on Black Friday, and one-third will spend $500 or more.

This year, the holiday weekend is poised to set a new record. The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics estimate 186.9 million shoppers will hit stores and online platforms from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday — up from 183.4 million last year. Black Friday leads the pack, with 70% of shoppers (130.4 million) planning to participate, followed by Cyber Monday with 40% (73.9 million).

“Many Americans consider shopping to be an important part of their Thanksgiving holiday,” said Phil Rist, executive VP of strategy for Prosper Insights & Analytics. “For more than half, the deals are simply too good to pass up.”

In-Store Shopping: Still the Holiday Spirit Driver

Despite the shift toward digital browsing and early promotions, brick-and-mortar remains a dominant force. Projections from Capital One indicate 81% of 2025 retail sales will occur in physical stores.

Quad’s consumer survey highlights why:

• 74% say in-store shopping is the best way to get into the holiday spirit.

• 66% say their favorite gifts came from unexpected in-store discoveries.

• 70% feel more comfortable making higher-priced purchases in person.

Black Friday remains the biggest in-store shopping day of the year. Retailers who draw shoppers into physical locations benefit from impulse buying, cross-sell opportunities, and higher-margin purchases that don’t happen online.

Online Black Friday: Bigger, Faster, and More Tech-Driven

But Black Friday is no longer only about 4 a.m. doorbusters. Digital channels now play an equally critical role.

Adobe Analytics reported consumers spent a record $10.8 billion online during Black Friday 2024 — more than double 2017 levels. And the rise of generative AI is reshaping traffic patterns, with an 1,800% increase in Black Friday site visits driven by AI shopping bots compared to 2023.

Retailers are turning to livestreams, social-commerce platforms, and digital deal hubs to capture this demand, mirroring Amazon’s increasingly hybrid holiday playbook.

Holiday Momentum Is Already Building

More than half of holiday shoppers (58%) began buying in early November — a pattern consistent with the last five years. According to NRF data, consumers have already completed roughly 26% of their planned purchases.

Those early waves are feeding what could become the first trillion-dollar holiday season. NRF forecasts U.S. holiday retail sales will rise 3.7% to 4.2% this year, reaching between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion, up from $976 billion last year.

The Bottom Line: Black Friday Still Matters — A Lot

Yes, the shopping season is longer. Yes, consumers are stretched across both physical and digital channels. And yes, AI is changing how people discover deals. But despite all the shifts, Black Friday remains:

• The most popular shopping day of the holiday season

• A massive in-store traffic driver

• A record-setting online sales event

• A cultural shopping tradition millions still embrace

As Dan Berthiaume notes, “Yes, Virginia, there is still a Black Friday — you just need to believe and act.” And according to the NRF, nearly 187 million Americans plan to do exactly that.

TUCSON, AZ (November 25, 2025) — An 11,186-square-foot retail building at 4001 E. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson has sold for $1,700,000 ($152 PSF) in an investment sale to Jim and Samira Habib of El Cajon, California. The property is fully leased to Total Offroad & More, a Tucson-based retailer specializing in aftermarket truck and SUV parts, accessories, and lift kits and closed October 20, 2025.

Total Offroad & More has served the region’s off-road and outdoor recreation community for more than 20 years, offering suspension systems, wheels, tires, lighting, and custom installations for trucks and 4×4 vehicles. The company operates its primary showroom and service center from this Speedway location, drawing customers from across Southern Arizona.

The seller was the George and Jane Caughman Family Trust. Rob Tomlinson, Principal and Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller. Melody Bramer with Keller Williams Integrity First Realty in Gilbert represented the buyer.

Built in 1974 and situated on 0.74 acres within the Speedway No. 1 subdivision, the property includes 53 parking spaces and offers prominent frontage along Speedway Boulevard, one of Tucson’s busiest east–west corridors.

For more information, Tomlinson can be reached at 520.546.2757, and Bramer is at 602.290.3643.

Source: RED Comp #12183.

Transaction marks the continued expansion of both Build-To-Rent brands

SURPRISE, Ariz. (Nov. 25, 2025) – Christopher Todd Capital acquired from Taylor Morrison Yardly Paradisi, a 193-home Build-To-Rent (BTR) community located in Surprise, Arizona.

The seller, Taylor Morrison, is one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, which, along with its for-sale business, acquires and develops newly constructed for-rent housing communities under its Yardly brand. The sale of Yardly Paradisi continues the company’s commitment to constructing, stabilizing, and monetizing projects to generate funds that can be redeployed to future Yardly communities to serve a consumer who appreciates the quality, design, and best-in-class execution of the purpose-built “Build-To-Rent” niche.

The buyer, Christopher Todd Capital, is a leading Build-To-Rent operator and investor known for its innovative approach to single-family rental living. Through its flagship Christopher Todd Communities brand, the company has redefined the BTR experience with high-quality, amenity-rich neighborhoods designed for long-term operation, resident connection, and lifestyle convenience. The acquisition of Paradisi continues Christopher Todd Capital’s national growth strategy, expanding its Arizona footprint while reinforcing its commitment to acquire, enhance, and hold premium BTR assets.

Northmarq’s Phoenix-based Investment Sales team, led by Trevor Koskovich, Jesse Hudson, and Logan Baca, represented the seller, Taylor Morrison. Brandon Harrington, Bryan Mummaw, Bryan Liu, Christopher Gitibin, and Tyler Woodard of Northmarq’s Debt + Equity platform arranged $32.76 million in acquisition financing on behalf of the buyer.

Yardly Paradisi will be rebranded under the Christopher Todd Communities umbrella as Christopher Todd Communities Paradisi, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to elevate the standard of purpose-built rental living.

“Yardly Paradisi is a standout asset in Phoenix’s West Valley for many reasons and we are excited to pass the reins to a trusted buyer who recognizes the value born out of the vision and hard work of a dedicated development and lease up team,” said Darin Rowe, President of Yardly. “Municipalities, exit buyers and certainly our consumers, as reflected via impressive Google ratings for Yardly communities, are appreciative of this diverse housing product type that blends the best of single-family, and apartment living and helps solve our national need for housing.”

“We are thrilled to add Paradisi to the Christopher Todd Capital portfolio,” said Todd Wood, Founder and CEO of Christopher Todd Communities. “Taylor Morrison is a respected national builder known for its quality and thoughtful design — this community exemplifies those traits and aligns perfectly with our brand’s promise of quality, comfort, and connection. We look forward to enhancing it further under our ownership.”

“The capital markets continue to embrace cottage-style Build-To-Rent communities,” added Brent Long, President of Christopher Todd Capital and Christopher Todd Communities. “We had many strong financing options for this acquisition and strategically selected a leading global insurance company as our lender, underscoring the confidence institutional capital has in this asset class and in our platform.”

Developed in 2024, the gated community features resort-style amenities including a fitness center, heated pool, dog park with agility equipment, and private backyards for each home. With its proximity to Loop 303 and the Village at Prasada, residents benefit from convenient access to employment centers and retail destinations throughout the West Valley.

“Both Taylor Morrison and Christopher Todd Communities are valued Northmarq clients with clear long-term strategies that result in high quality, tastefully executed BTR assets that consumers demand,” said Trevor Koskovich, President of Northmarq’s Investment Sales. “Paradisi represents one of many existing and future BTR communities across a national footprint.”