Sunday, November 25, 2012
On Thursday, people gave thanks for what they have. The next day, they rushed out to buy things they want—whether for themselves or to give to others.
Thanksgiving has all but disappeared from the major media landscape. The Halloween candy wasn't even down to only Smarties when Christmas trees appeared in stores. Black Friday sales didn't even wait for Friday this year. There were several retailers who decided to bump up the rush by opening the doors Thanksgiving night. Walmart's Black Friday deals started at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving, according to the Journal Sentinel. And Target stores opened at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving, according to Bloomburg Business Week. In 2011, sales were estimated to be $11.4 million—a 6.6 percent increase over 2010—according to a CNN report on Black Friday sales. But almost half of them were buying things for themselves, 11 percent more than reported doing so in 2010. It'…
Friday, November 23, 2012
Not only are people recovering from turkey and stuffing overload, but many are also recharging after a long night of really early Black Friday shopping.
We are used to seeing the lines and miniature tent villages outside many retailers on Black Friday. But each year, it seems the lines begin earlier and earlier, and now it appears stores did not want to wait for the tryptophan to wear off before opening their doors to credit-card carrying crowds. Patch reported Thursday about a patient line of customers waiting for Best Buy to open at midnight, but many other stores had sales starting even earlier. Shopko re-opened at 8 p.m. while Walmart had big sales scheduled for 8 and 10 p.m. and midnight. Target had a huge line for their 9 p.m. opening, and the line for Kohl's Department Store, which opened at midnight, snaked down the sidewalk in front of other shops in the same strip center. …
Organizers say they are trying to pressure Walmart to respect that their workers want to unionize.
Caledonia resident Randy Bryce and about 50 other people stood outside the Somers Walmart Thursday night to protest what they say are unfair wages and benefits for employees. Pro-union groups - including people from Overpass Light Brigade and Our Walmart - held up signs that asked for Walmart workers to be respected, Bryce said. “We wanted to show our support for the workers who are trying to unionize,” Bryce said. “We want Walmart to respect their workers. We were not trying to keep people out or have people not shop there. We were not there to shut down Walmart. It was to give them some more courage and reassure them that they won’t retaliate against you.” Bryce said that a number of workers get their hours reduced to a point where they …
It's Black Friday, and that means great deals—and huge crowds. What makes it worth the wait for you this year?
It's the official start of the holiday shopping season... Get ready for stores to open earlier than ever (even on Thanksgiving night), lines and incredible deals. Are you out shopping today? Upload a picture of yourself waiting in line (outside or inside) and be sure to share your bargains in the comments!
Hoping to snag the latest in electronic gadgetry, a line of people snaked around the Best Buy building by 9:30 p.m. Thursday night.
By 9:30 p.m. Thursday a line of people continued to grow longer and it spilled well into the parking lot behind the Best Buy building located at 2710 South Green Bay Road. While the store wouldn't be open until midnight, those in the front of the line had been waiting since Wednesday morning. Some of those in line brought chairs, and blankets. Some sat up against the side of the building reading store fliers, and clutching cups of coffee. Near by a group of boys played hacky sack. They all waited for Black Friday to begin. And many were there for the sole purpose of buying a television, but not just any television -- a Toshiba 40-inch 1080p LCD flat screen that Best Buy was selling for $179. Normally, they sold for $419.99. Izaac Payan, …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
It's time to get your shop on, and rise of online shopping and Cyber Monday has given deal-hungry consumers some options.
With Thanksgiving occurring on the earliest possible day this year, the official holiday shopping season is as long as it can be. For years, the Friday following Thanksgiving — Black Friday — was the unquestioned king of that season. But the furious growth of the Internet has spawned Cyber Monday, an online shopping frenzy that grew 22 percent from 2010 to $1.25 billion in sales in the United States. It still pales in comparison to Black Friday, which last year generated $52.4 billion in sales, up from $45 billion in 2010. Many shoppers enjoy the early rising, elbow-to-elbow aisles and energy of in-person shopping on Black Friday, and the game-planning that goes with it. Others would prefer to sit in their home or office and cross off gift…
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Bargain shopper extraordinaire Sara Conrad shares her plan for how to find the best deals—and survive—Black Friday shopping.
Can you believe it's that time again? The red, white and blue is through, turkey time is on the horizon and all that's left to do is fill our shopping bags with holiday cheer. If your pocket book is a bit tight this year or you just dig a good deal, Black Friday has your name written all over it. But before you head out into the retail rush, here's my top tips to make it worth your while to head out and take part in this traditional holiday hustle. 1) Getchyer game plan. Take a cue out of the NFL's playbook and choreograph your Black Friday moves. Know exactly what you want, where it is and when you're going to get it. In the olden days, pre world wide web, one would have to wait for the Thanksgiving Day newspaper to peruse and plan. Now…
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Many stores are open when the smudge of gravy will still be on many people's faces. Here's a list of stores in the area, hours and links to their ads. Good luck and good shopping!
BEST BUY KMART KOHL'S SEARS TARGET TOYS R US WALMART Black Friday events will be held at the following times: Didn't see your favorite store? To see sneak peeks of all Black Friday sale fliers, click here. LOCAL MALL HOURS & INFO BAYSHORE TOWN CENTER, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale Start Time: The mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 7 a.m. on Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! BROOKFIELD SQUARE, 95 N. Moorland Road, Brookfield Start Time: The mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 5 a.m. Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! SOUTHRIDGE MALL, 5300 S. 76th St., Greendale Start Time: The mall is closed Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 3 a.m. on Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Share your photos from Black Friday here!
We compiled tweets, links and videos from local online users preparing, or avoiding, the year's largest shopping day.
Leah Szymborski
11:34 am on Monday, November 26, 2012
I think the stores should wait until Friday to open their doors. Thursday is still a day people should spend with their families, not rushing to get the best deals. more ›