U.S. retailers
expect Black Friday sales to increase by 3.8 percent and Cyber Monday sales to
grow 2.5 percent, according to a BDO USA survey.

According to BDO USA’s Retail Compass Survey of CMOs, chief
marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers expect Black Friday sales to
increase by 3.8 percent and Cyber Monday sales to grow by 2.5 percent this
holiday season. Last year, the survey found both were expected to rise by
1.8 percent.

Sixty-four percent of CMOs expect to see more discounts and
promotions this holiday season, a decline from 2009 when 96 percent said they
planned more discounts. Thirty-six percent of retailers do not expect to see an uptick in
discount offerings.

The survey also found retailers expected comparable and overall sales for the
2010 holiday season to increase by 2.83 percent and 3.51 percent, respectively.

JCK