Credit card companies also posted favorable results. Visa posted a 15.5% year-over-year gain in sales of more than $4.1 billion. The growth was fueled by purchases at apparel, department, discount and home and garden stores, according to the company. MasterCard reported a 9.29% jump through Saturday night.

But news from the largest retailer in the world was not as bright. Wal-Mart predicted that its same-store sales would increase 0.7% for the month. The retailer had hoped for a 2% to 4% gain through the month. Most retailers will report their November sales results on Thursday.

Just over one-fourth of all adults shopped on Friday, according to a National Retail Federation report that surveyed about 4,700 people. The average consumer spent $265.15 on gifts this weekend, NRF says.