Published Sunday, November 30, 2008

Merchants optimistic about early holiday shopping

The Times-Herald

Holiday shoppers continued their trek to malls and big-box stores Saturday, amid early indications of slightly higher Black Friday sales to kick off the season.

Tony Petch, manager of the Newnan Target store, was cautiously optimistic, saying Black Friday traffic was "awesome" and sales appeared up from a year before. But he also took a "wait and see" approach, pointing out that shoppers may have only been out to snap up the "doorbuster" bargains.

The nation's retailers were watching anxiously, having suffered significant declines this year thanks to the weakening U.S.economy. But the first nationwide returns were positive for merchants. ShopperTrak RCT, a retail industry research firm, said total Black Friday sales rose 3 percent this year, to about $10.6 billion nationwide.

Local shopper Teresa Wilson said she got up at 4:20 a.m. to go "Black Friday" shopping. "I headed to Wal-Mart, Michaels, GameStop, Bath and Body Works, Target, BJs, DollarTree, Big Lots, Kohls, Rugged Warehouse and Anna's Linens, and then lunch with friends," said Wilson.

She said traffic was high on Friday. "Parking was at a premium, stores were crowded, and check-out lines became a great place to meet people," she said. Overall, she said, "It was a good day for shopping."

Angela Tinsley of Turin said she normally does not "get out with the crowds the day after Thanksgiving to shop. "I never felt the deals I might find would equal the sleep loss, or my sanity," Tinsley said. She decided to try it, only to find out that "I was right. I didn't feel the sales were any better than what I will find later on in the season, either," she said. "All that said, I did buy some cute things for the kids, and enjoyed the time with my family!"

Bill Martin, ShopperTrak co-founder, said given the headwinds facing merchants -- a troubled economy, the weakness in a presidential election year and the aftermath of the summer's gas prices --the first day of holiday shopping was positive. "Under these circumstances, to start off the season in this fashion is truly amazing and is a testament to the resiliency of the American consumer, and undeniably proves a willingness to spend," Martin said.