The total spending of the Thanksgiving weekend fell for a second time since 2008 as early promotions, online shopping and an improving economy changed consumers' shopping habit for the biggest shopping weekend of the year, a survey released on Sunday.

The total spending of the Thanksgiving weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, this year is estimated to reach 50.9 billion U.S. dollars, lower than the 57.4 billion dollars last year, as shoppers on average spent 26.25 dollars less than last year, said the survey of the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The survey found overall shopper traffic from Thanksgiving Day through Sunday, Nov. 30 dropped 5.2 percent from 2013, from 141.1 million to 133.7 million.

"A strengthening economy that changes consumer's reliance on deep discounts, a highly competitive environment, early promotions and the ability to shop online all contributed to the shift witnessed this weekend," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

"We are excited to be witnessing an evolutionary change in holiday shopping by both consumers and retailers," said Shay, adding such change will continue in the years ahead.

The spending of the Thanksgiving weekend reached 59.1 billion dollars in 2012, and then it fell to 57.4 billion dollars in 2013 caused by weak economic recovery and early promotions from retailers. Endite

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