Shoppers uneasy with prices on some items. “Electronics appear to be the early winner this Black Friday, with discounters doing well early and door-busters bringing in big crowds. At higher-end department stores, the crowds were thinner and consumers seemed to be more interested in buying less expensive items.” (Wall Street Journal)
A reporter says retailers will do well this holiday season, if a crammed Walmart is any indication. “They came by truck, by van and even by taxi. But they all came for the deals. Hordes of shoppers descended upon Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, on Friday in hopes of securing some of the early deals of the holiday shopping season.” (CNNMoney.com)
Shoppers turned out but weren’t buying like crazy as in years past. ” U.S. consumers kicked off the holiday shopping season on Friday, with a strong turnout for early-morning bargains, though many said they were being more selective about what they buy and paring back what they spend.” (Reuters)
Some stores see massive sales. “Cecilia Auth came to Toys R Us at 4 a.m. Friday with one item on her list: a Star Wars All Terrain Tactical Enforcer for her 7-year-old son. But when she got to the toy store on Pulaski Highway in Rosedale, she was so impressed by the deals she walked out with a shopping cart full of toys — presents for her son, daughter, two nieces and a neighbor.” (Baltimore Sun)
Whether you are shopping Black Friday in person, online, or are saying “no thank you” to the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, I know you’re curious what’s going on. The folks at WalletPop.com, a major personal finance site that I blog for, has lots of info.
Seasoned Black Friday shoppers know that the best way to save during this all-important shopping day is to plot out a course of action ahead of time. That means knowing what you want and where to get it — at the lowest possible price, of course. Black Friday shopping guide: Best places to buy
Have you ever shopped online through a “cash back” site? The main ones are ExtraBux, eBates, and Cashbaq. The way it works is you register for free at one of these sites, then click through to the retailer of your choice. They track what you purchase and send you a check a few weeks later with a percentage of your purchase. Cash back rebate deals on Black Friday
The ads are in! While this info is gathered in a lot of places, we thought you might like a handy list of where you can find the actual circulars from your favorite stores. So peruse away! Black Friday 2009: The ads are in, and here’s where to find them
Even though many stores are trying to keep their Cyber Monday sales under wraps until after Black Friday we found several places to go looking for the best bargains on Cyber Monday. Where to find Cyber Monday deals.
The ramp up to Black Friday has been more energetic this year than any I can remember. There’s a near insatiable thirst for discounts and door busters and retailers are more than willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy that thirst. Say hi to Mom and Pop: Shop local on Black Friday.
Experts are predicting 76.9 million people are going to shop on Black Friday, which means safety will be an issue. You probably remember last year a Walmart employee was trampled to death in the rush? I called expert shopper Suzanne O’Connor of BargainsLA.com for advice to stay safe in big crowds. Be safe on Black Friday (BargainBabe).
Experts are predicting 76.9 million people are going to shop on Black Friday, which means safety will be an issue. You probably remember last year a Walmart employee was trampled to death in the rush?
I called expert shopper Suzanne O’Connor of BargainsLA.com for advice to stay safe in big crowds.
- Don’t carry a handbag. “You really want to be hands free,” Suzanne said. “If you have two arms it is better for safety. You won’t get knocked over. Plus you have talons, you can hold onto things.”
- Wear comfortable/athletic shoes so you can move quickly and be able to maneuver. “Keep your those little spike numbers at home,” she said.
- Shop with a friend — if you both have the same goals for the day. Are you focused on crossing every item off your list? Don’t shop with a girlfriend who likes to chat. Leave at home anyone you are going to argue with over purchases (like a boyfriend). Talk before you go and make a plan of action.
- If you shop on Black Friday go specifically for something, don’t just shop in general. This is not the day to be casual.
- Wait to shop on items like mens’ sweaters and bathrobes. They aren’t going to sell out and they will go on sale again.
- Take mass transit if you do not have any bulky purchases planned. Avoid road rage and mall parking lots!
- Never grab something out of anybody’s hand, push or shove, or be rude to another person. “Keep a level head,” Suzanne said. “Your kid is not going to die if he doesn’t get the best toy of the year. It’s actually a good lesson.”
- If you are still worried about safety, shop later in the day when the bum rush is over.
Suzanne is already 75 percent done with her Christmas shopping and she does not plan to lift a finger on Black Friday. Instead, she is going to eat pie for breakfast.
If you wondered how retailers would get us to buy more and shop earlier this holiday season, Walmart has the answer. Pre-Black Friday sales.
In past years, retailers pushed their store opening hours on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, earlier and earlier until some stores opened at midnight. Then last year, some retailers launched their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving. This year, Walmart introduces the concept of “pre-Black Friday” sales with super deals on six items this weekend. (Like my post on discount desensitization, I wonder if this will dilute Black Friday sales.)
BFAds.net reports that starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 Walmart will have the Xbox 360 Arcade console for $199 with a free $100 gift-card – that’s almost as if the Xbox cost $99!
“If you were thinking about purchasing an Xbox 360 this holiday season, this is the absolute best deal we’ve ever seen on the Xbox 360,” BFAds reports.
The Saturday sale also includes a 15.6″ HP Laptop for $298. There will be at least 10 each of the Xbox 360 and the HP Laptop at these low prices at each store. Check out what else is in the pre-Black Friday Walmart sales.
More sales:
BFAds just posted the 423-item Kmart Black Friday ad and the 39-page Kmart Black Friday Advertisement scan. “The biggest item in the Kmart advertisement is the Delstar 7″ Netbook for only $119.99,” BFAds says. “Not much is known about this netbook, but it does bring hope that there will be more netbooks available for around the $100 price-point.”
You can also browse Lowe’s Black Friday Sneak Peak sale (25 items).
Related:
Why is it called Black Friday? (wikipedia)
Black Friday sales at Kmart, Sears and others (Main Street)
