How much do you know about the 2008 holiday shopping season?

By James K. Sanborn
Maryland Newsline
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2008

The 2008 shopping season is expected to be a lean one for retailers, but competition for a shrinking clientele could mean great deals for shoppers. Test your general knowledge of the holiday shopping season.

1. What is Black Friday?

The day the stock market crashed, triggering the Great Depression in 1929.
The Friday after Thanksgiving, which marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Another name for Friday the 13th, a day of bad luck.
The Friday before Halloween.

2. What is Cyber Monday?

A term referring to the start of each work week when workers, stressed by the idea of five more days of labor, spend hours procrastinating by
      surfing the Web for non-work related entertainment.
The day the World Wide Web was invented.
The last Monday before Christmas when people shop online in a panic.
The unofficial beginning of the online Christmas shopping season.

3. Analysts have said that rising national unemployment, now at about 10 million people, could make this a lean Christmas season for retailers. When was the last time unemployment was so high?

1929
1972
1994
2000

4. Which of the following retail sectors is hardest hit by the slumping economy?

Health and personal care
Groceries
Electronics and appliances
Apparel

5. What do most adults want to receive this Christmas?

Jewelry
Consumer electronics and computer accessories
Clothing or accessories
Gift cards or gift certificates

6. What is the least preferred gift among adults this Christmas?

Personal care or beauty items
Jewelry
Consumer electronics or computer accessories
Home décor and home related furnishings

7. Based on what do most consumers pick where to do their holiday shopping?

Sales and promotions
Everyday low prices
Merchandise quality
Selection
Convenient location
Helpful customer service

8. What percent of annual sales are made by the average retailer during the holiday shopping season?

10-20 percent
25-40 percent
45-65 percent
80-90 percent

Copyright © 2008 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Top of Page | Home Page