Black Friday! Are you shopping? Or are you cutting back?
By swilbur85
@swilbur85 (75)
United States
November 6, 2009 8:10am CST
GOOD MORNING! I've got my coffee and am ready to start discussing. :)
So, I am a manager of a retail store in Florida. I'm always trying to figure out what the trend is and ways to help improve our results for the year.
I would like to know how many of you are still planning on shopping on the day after Thanksgiving (Otherwise known as Black Friday for the retailers). Has the economy stopped you from going this year? Are you still going, but not spending as much? OR-- have you saved up and are going to go crazy buying gifts this year?
Let me know.. this should be interesting! :)
10 responses
@stacysmomstl (397)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I'm cutting back a bit and I'm not shopping on Black Friday. Well at least I'm not going to stand in line and rush the stores for one thing or another.
I'm going to cut back as much as possible.
@stacysmomstl (397)
• United States
6 Nov 09
I think a lot of folks will be in the same situation. I hope to still make Christmas fun without spending a boat load. I'm hoping anyway. LOL
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Yeah, I will say that Christmas for us this year won't be the same as the others... Unless I can put a substantial amount away in one month (not likely) or a win the lotto (not likely either because I don't play).. SO, yeah, it will be a grim christmas for us.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
6 Nov 09
Hey,
As iam from a differant part of the world, we dont have this concept. Just wanted to say that i avoid shopping in weekends. I take some time off in weekdays and i get all the free space which is needed to shop. Weekends are usually over corwded and u dont get the time and the oppurtunity to buy the best product.
Cheers,
Tutul
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
6 Nov 09
VERY true! Well, you've never seen the American phenomenon of "Black Friday"... It will be so crowded in stores that you can't walk. Lines to the checkout will be like waiting for a Disney World attraction. The lines are long and are the wait can be as long as an hour and a half to get to the register!
It's funny, because most people think you get the best deals on Black Friday. As someone who's done retail for the past six years-- that's not always the case :)
@stacysmomstl (397)
• United States
6 Nov 09
That makes a lot of sense. If you are not in a rush, or in a crowd of people, you can probably do much better in what you have to finish.
@happy6162 (3001)
• United States
7 Nov 09
No, I will not be shopping on Black Friday this year. We have to cut back on what we will be spending on Christmas.
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
8 Nov 09
Well,it seems you're not the only one this year!! I hope things get better for all of us! :)
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
7 Nov 09
Hi, I do not ever go to a store on Black Friday. However I will keep my eyes peeled for deals on the net. We have cut back this year. I actually have slowly cut back every year, taking away the gifts that are really just garbage gifts, and replaced them with giving to charity. I do not like to get or give a gift, just to get or give a gift. Matter of fact I hate that. For my job I always cook them something to eat, no more gifts for everyone. We don't buy for every single relative anymore, only kids, and parents, and I don't even know about the parents this year. There is nothing they need, so I may just do pictures. Still not sure. Happy shopping.
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
8 Nov 09
That's a great idea! Online shopping can be a great way to save, plus you don't have to spend gas to get to the store, and easy comparison shopping as well. Cooking instead of gifting is a GREAT idea!!! I think I will have to do that this year! :) Thanks for the ideas!
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
7 Nov 09
I have cut back a lot in spending because of the economy. I am out of work and my husband only works part-time. I had applied to many retail stores for holiday help, but no one in Idaho is hiring. I will not be participating in Black Friday. I know some of the stores out here are having Black Friday sales every Saturday between now and Christmas in hopes to bring people in.
I will be making a lot of homemade gifts this year. I am buying ceramic ornaments and will paint those. I bought four children's books. I am looking for sites who sell gift cards cheap so I can buy my husband the one gift he really wants which is a Nintendo Wii.
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
8 Nov 09
Yes, I work in retail and we won't be hiring for holiday help this year. Times are tough, so even though I hate my job sometimes, I'm sticking with it! The ceramic ornaments are a GREAT idea!
@chenmatrix (9)
• China
7 Nov 09
I come from a southwest city in China, a nation featured by America medias now and then.
Shopping spree little occurs here while taken as a leisure.
However, the phenomenon that consumer in the long queue is also prevailing here when it comes to weekends.
we seldom cut back the budget as long as income stays stable.
Compared to commodities, Word is spreading, that gasoline here is more expensive than in U.S.
I do find pertrol here a little expensive to feed my car
though I have 1000RMB(or about 120 U.S. dollars ) as transportation allowance from my company.
By the way, I wonder how many products bearing "Made in China" in your market.
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
6 Nov 09
We did Black Friday for the first time last yr (only at walmart mind you) and it was sort of worth it..whether or not we'll do it again this yr thoguh I dont know....I'd sort of like to but we'll see...
@swilbur85 (75)
• United States
6 Nov 09
Now.. big chain stores I would say DO have great deals! Walmart or Best Buy will actually have sales worth waiting in line for! Chain stores that are usually in the mall usually have better deals throughout the year.
@peter790702 (107)
• China
7 Nov 09
consumption, growth ,development,development,and sustainable
development
@robbinredmon (48)
• United States
7 Nov 09
Well this year I will not be shopping like I have in years past since I have been laid off since July. I will not have the extra spending money to do the Black Friday shopping this year. I will just have to sit this one out.
