CNN: Holiday shoppers are spending

[MiniMe]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/29/news/economy/holiday_shopping_sat/index.htm?cnn=yes

Holiday shoppers are spending
Research firm says Black Friday sales up 3%, thanks to deep discounts, in cautious start to the season.


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- 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.

The nation's retailers were watching anxiously, having already 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% this year, to about $10.6 billion nationwide.

more at the link



So much for sales being down.

[geckosfeet]

1. I just spent $1400 today alone. (ouch) All online.

That is about 80% of what I will spend though.

[Quantess]

2. I think Obama getting elected is causing some optimism.

I just got home from my seasonal retail job. It wasn't exactly packed, but sales seem to be up slightly from last week. Halfway decent sales today.

But, don't kid yourself. Retailers are still going bankrupt.

[madrchsod]

3. Keep shopping america!----- the chinese workers need their jobs!

with unemployment rising in china ,the chinese worker are hoping america helps by buying as many chinese goods as possible!

it`s for goddam sure it`s not going to help the american worker.

[HopeFor2006]

4. Buy local!

The only shopping I've done so far is at an independent bookstore- mostly local authors.

[TheWatcher]

5. American Sheep still vapid and clueless, despite worst economic Crisis since 1929

Trample, brawl, and storm the gates for those useless Chinese Bobbles and Trinkets good countrymen!

Gobble those cheeseburgers, swill that beer, drool in front of the Plasma, beat your chest for the sports team, ignore reality, and FEEL GOOD.

That's what it's all about.

:beer:

Rome Continues To Burn, and we'll shop, shop, shop, till the Credit Cards are taken awaaaay.

[Mind_your_head]

6. 'Good for them'......I don't believe this story at all, though

Americans are exhausted! Mentally, spiritually, physiologically, and monetarily.

[iris27]

7. I wonder how many people did like me & finished ALL their shopping during the big discount weekend.

I would never venture out in the crowds on Black Friday, and have occasionally participated in Buy Nothing Day.

But this year I spent all of BF online, and took advantage of the sales to knock out ALL of my Christmas shopping. All told, I'm spending about $200 less on gifts than last year, but it was all spent on one day instead of spread out over several weeks. If others did the same, we'd see a boost on the initial weekend, followed by a sharp drop.