Fourth quarter payment card interchange may come insignificantly stronger for the end of 2011 than it did for the endof 2010 if consumers maintain the pace of holiday spending thatinaugurated this past weekend.

According to a survey conducted on behalf of the National Retail Federation, 226 million consumer visited storesor websites on the weekend after Thanksgiving, an increase of morethan 14 million shoppers over last year, the retail groupreported.

The trade association reported that in addition to more peopleshopping, the 2011 shoppers spent more money over the weekend thandid shoppers last year.

“[T]he average holiday shopper spent $398.62 this weekend, upfrom $365.34 last year,” the association reported. “Total spendingreached an estimated $52.4 billion.” Additionally, shoppers alsochecked out retailers' deals online, spending an average of $150.53on the Web – 37.8% of their total weekend spending.

“Stuffed to the brim from their holiday meals and eager to shop,more consumers than ever turned out for retailers' Black Fridaypromotions, a promising sign for the economic recovery,” said NRFCEO Matthew Shay. “After an historic holiday weekend, retailersknow the holiday season is far from over and will continue to lookfor ways to excite holiday shoppers and build on the momentum we'veseen thus far.”

The survey found 28.7 million people shopped online and atstores on Thanksgiving Day – up from 22.2 million last year. Morepeople than ever before also shopped online and in stores on BlackFriday, as 86.3 million shoppers braved the crowds that dayalone.