Holiday shopping gets off to a good start

(CBS News) NEW YORK - One day after the holiday season kickoff, the nation's merchants have reason for joy. By one estimate, the number of Black Friday shoppers was up 20 percent over the same day last year. The question now is whether shoppers can maintain the pace.

It's shaping up to be a record setting opening to this holiday shopping season. Wal-Mart, the nation's biggest retailer, says it sold nearly 5,000 items a second on Thanksgiving night as stores opened their doors this year earlier than ever.

The pumpkin pie was barely eaten Thursday night when retailers opened their doors-- some as early as 8 and 9 p.m. -- to jump start the holiday shopping season

People showed up. A clear majority of the nation's shoppers came in to the stores between Thursday night and Friday morning, according to an overnight survey from America's Research Group

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"This Black Friday was by far the biggest ever," said Britt Beemer, founder and chairman of America's Research Group. "We've never seen 60 percent of consumers shop in a 12-14 hour window like we've see this year."

For many, Thanksgiving is the new Black Friday.

"We can have a lot to eat and then rest of about an hour," said one person, "take a little nap, and then come out straight to Black Friday because that is our number one priority around Thanksgiving."

But clearly bargain hunters are driving spending this year. "They had towels on sale for two dollars, they had blankets on sale for fifteen. It's just a great sale," said another person.

But retailers hope that consumers will pick up non-sale items as well "I just grab," said a man. "Impulse. I see what I like and I grab it and then I go."

This season it's estimated that consumers will spend about $750 each this year, up slightly from $741 last year.

For retailers, holiday shopping can account for up to 40 percent of annual sales. On Saturday, President Obama went shopping with his daughters at an independent bookstore, to help boost small business

In stores large and small, the Smartphone is becoming a must-have shopping accessory.

"We noticed that consumers said they were using Smartphones twice as often this year than last year to scan prices, look at information," said Beemer.

"I am using modern technology being an old man, going shopping," said a consumer.

And Saturday is Small Business Saturday, a relatively new push in the last few years to get consumers to shop at local businesses and restaurants. American Express came up with the idea. And for many small businesses, Saturday is a more important shopping day than Black Friday.

[Plumbline9]

Matthew 25:6-12

........6 "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'....

[eaglestalon11]

What a total ,load of BS this article is. Sales are what count and NOT how many "shoppers" went out. The FACT is SALES are DOWN 3.4% over last year.

But wait!! How can that be if the hapless one in the WH says the economy is "better and improving all the time"?

[robintoledo]

Pushing, shoving and in general very bad behavior. I'm sure the rest of the world looks at us like a bunch of jerks. If companies rely on Christmas to make a profit, then our whole approach needs to be re-invented.

[truthsayer1]

Typical CBS's Obama propaganda. Subliminal message: "Everything is going well since we re-elected our dear leader." The truth: Sales are are down from last year!

[MollieQ]

I didn't buy anything.

[pixcchic]

If the sales stayed at 5am Friday people would still shop it. People are so desperate to save money that's the only reason they go out when they do.It just goes to show the mark up on items that is ripping people off in the first place. I do applaud the president for choosing to spend his money as a small biz.

[rwsmith29456]

The high sales can't be bad for the economy but it would be nice if there were more American-made goods.

[get_down]

Black Friday, I shopped at "Office Depot" (spent $700ish) early morning. Later at "Belk" (spent $200ish), "CPK" (spent $500ish) and "Best Buy" (spent $100). My better-half and I walked inside "Talbots" at the TTC and we thought we'd use the "Appreciation with 30% off" coupon that we received in mail from them. However during our check-out, they told us that coupon's no good, so we walked out without buying. Today we ate at "Jason's Deli" (spent $300ish). Now tell me how is it possible that the economy won't improve?

[pedalit]

dunno about the economy but your pride surely has grown