Residents out early 'Black Friday'

Saturday, November 29, 2008
Tina and Tifany Fiest hit Peebles Department Store in Greencastle early Friday morning. As they were checking out Melissa Doty and Michelle Bright waited patiently for their turn to purchase great sale items.

Putnam County residents were out early Friday morning picking up deals on everything from TVs to toys in local stores.

Friday was the traditional start to the holiday shopping season, which may the weakest in decades, say economic experts.

Many consumers were focused on picking up bargains Friday. Several said they wee slashing their holiday budgets from a year ago as they juggle paying rent and other bills while putting food on the table.

"It helps a lot to not be paying such high prices for gas but, we're still being pretty careful about how much we are spending this year," said Angie Watson who was shopping at Peebles Department store Friday.

"This year a lot of people I know may not get presents or they are getting homemade items like cookies and candies. We just have to cut back this year," added Watson.

Peebles are offering forty and fifty percent off on lots of items as well as extra coupons for even more off.

Walmart had a large circular of items for sale that included all kinds of electronics, gift items and clothing at discount prices. Cashiers were busy in Wal-Mart early Friday morning but the parking lot was not full.

"We shopped some on Thursday afternoon because Wal-Mart was open and we knew it wouldn't be crowed," claimed Kyle Smudge. "We got a great deal on a Kodak Sureshot Camera and several toys for the kids."

Black Friday received its name because it historically was the day when a surge of shoppers helped stores hit the profitability mark for the year. But this year with a deteriorating economy, this day may not have the might it once did.

Still, the day is an important barometer of customer's willingness to spend money for the holiday season. Last year, the Thanksgiving weekend accounted for about 10 percent of overall holiday sales, says ShopperTrak RCT Corp.

While estimates for Black Friday sales this year haven't been released yet, experts think the day will remain one of the season's best selling days, despite shoppers cutting back on spending.

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  • Shoppers are cutting back on spending, THAT's why they shopped Black Friday. THey can get what they want at 1/2 price or more and still have money for Bills and stuff. We shopped yesterday and are done until after christmas. We (my mom & I) saved over $500 and only spent less than $200. So, that's why people in this devistating economy shop on Black Friday.

    We do it every year, and this year had the best sales we had seen in a long while.

    Have a Happy Holiday season everyone!

    -- Posted by luv2bmom2001 on Sat, Nov 29, 2008, at 11:14 AM
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