The least busy day of the holiday shopping season will be…

Most experts agree that the busiest day of this year’s holiday shopping season is likely to be Saturday, Dec. 17. But what about shoppers who want to avoid the crowds?



According to RetailNext Inc., Tuesday, Nov. 29 will afford the widest berths in malls and stores.



"Hanukkah starts relatively late this year, and will push much of the holiday shopping into the later part of the season," said Lauren Bitar, RetailNext's senior manager, retail consulting. "For those shoppers who prefer to shy away from crowds, early in the season is best, particularly the week after Thanksgiving, and the absolute slowest time for shopping will be those mid-afternoon hours following lunch hour.”



Early evening weekday hours late in the season and all day on Saturdays and Sundays will likely see the heaviest crowds at brick-and-mortar stores, Bitar advised, with mid- to late-afternoon on Dec. 17 being the “absolute peak of the season.”



Here is a more complete breakdown:



Top 5 Least Busy Shopping Days (Shopper Visits)

1. Tuesday, Nov. 29

2. Monday, Nov. 28 (Cyber Monday)

3. Wednesday, Nov. 30

4. Thursday, Dec. 1

5. Monday, Dec. 5



Top 5 Busiest Shopping Days (Shopper Visits)

1. Super Saturday, Dec. 17

2. Black Friday, Nov. 25

3. Friday, Dec. 23

4. Saturday, Dec. 10

5. Monday, Dec.26