Walmart gains marketshare with low prices, Target sees weak demand
Overall holiday shopping expected to grow at slowest pace in six years
Mobile spending to account for 53 of online holiday sales
Retailers target shoppers with sprucedup loyalty programs

Nov 20 Reuters Retailers are in for a mixed holiday season this year ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, marked by watchful consumers keeping big spending on a tight leash and vigilantly comparing prices on their mobile phones to look for the best deals on apparel, electronics and toys.

Against this backdrop, bellwether Walmart lifted annual sales and profit targets this week, and said a majority of its customers were maintaining holiday plans year over year in the midst of an election year.

Walmart has managed to gain marketshare as its ultralow prices on groceries and a wide range of discretionary goods attract upperincome households to its superstores.

On the other hand, rival Target39;s forecasts for the holiday quarter were significantly subdued, with executives saying demand remains weak for highermargin items such as home goods and electronics.

Despite a rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve, the first in four years, consumer spending on nonessential items has remained uninspiring, and industry analysts expect a dealheavy holiday shopping season yet again.

Overall holiday shopping is expected to grow at its slowest pace in six years, according to separate reports from the National Retail Federation and…