Every year customers and retailers look forward to the Friday after Thanksgiving and that weekend to open the holiday shopping season.
Otherwise known as Black Friday, this day is punctuated with stores opening early and offering limited-time special discounts and bargains.
Many stores depend upon the income generated from this day to achieve positive returns for the year and thus be “in the black,” which is where the name “Black Friday” originates.
This year’s national trends were better than expected.
Major retail outlets located in Rolla also enjoyed the surge.
Rolla stores opened their doors early to hundreds of customers waiting in line outside. J.C. Penney opened at 4 a.m. to over 100 customers. Kmart opened at 6 a.m. to an estimated 250.
Kmart store Manager Pat Durick said this past Friday was “one of the best we’ve had for a few years.” Not only was Kmart open on Friday, but the store was also open during Thanksgiving.
During this time, top items sold included TVs, gaming systems such as Playstation 3 and X-box 360, GPS units, and cashmere sweaters, he said. A number of the store’s five-hour-specials for a Craftsman drill and a digital camera were also very popular, he said.
Electronics also sold well next door at Big Lots. VCR/DVD players, radios, and I-pod accessories were among the most purchased. Store Manager Kirk Hogan said they had “a pretty good weekend.”
J.C. Penney also got a boost over the weekend with the help of Black Friday’s special bargains. “With the economy the way it is, customers are shopping smarter,” store Manager Cheryl Gillibrand said. “J.C. Penney’s strength is in its ability to offer style and quality at an affordable price,” she added.
Much of the items purchased included luggage, fine jewelry, apparel, MP3 players, and digital key chains, she said.
Stage also benefited from last Friday’s sales and the weekend shopping. Stage’s district manager stated that this year was more successful than last. Customer attendance was especially high in the morning. Major items purchased were children’s clothing and accessories such as purses, hats, and gloves.
Each of the store managers were optimistic that the holiday shopping would be strong again this year due to seasonal promotions and additional specials.
“People are still going to be shopping for Christmas presents,” Gillibrand summed up. “So, we’ll still be busy.”