[jeffrey]

With the traditional beginning of the holiday shopping season beginning on Black Friday, consumers pulled their credit cards out of their wallets instead of cash to increase the amount they charged by 14% over last year. According to VISA, holiday shoppers charged nearly $4 billion ($3.9 billion) on VISA branded credit and debit cards on Black Friday.

The 14% increase in use on Black Friday also complimented a 17% increase in sales volume on VISA cards between Oct. 31 and Nov. 25. Consumers charged $82.7 billion during this period.




VISA said that consumers used their credit cards for the most part to purchase consumer electronics, home and garden products and items at mall-based specialty stores.