(CBS News)
In this country, Black Friday is becoming Black Thursday. For a lot of retailers, the holiday season begins Thursday night. More than 150 million people are expected to shop this weekend. Retailers hope to rake in $466 billion in holiday sales this year — up nearly 3 percent over 2010. As CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano in Times Square tells explains, the motto appears to be shop early — or else.
Holiday shoppers on Black Friday in Glenview, Illinois, USA Photo: EPA
As the fragile economic recovery continues, the fight for every shopping dollar is getting more fierce. For some retailers, that means a new holiday tradition: Black Friday beginning Thanksgiving night.
“Customers have been telling us for a long time they wanted to come in earlier,” said Amy Adonis, a 12-year veteran of the holiday frenzy. She works for electronics giant Best Buy, one of several major retailers opening at midnight — part of a push to grab each available customer.
“It’s a whole multichannel business,” she said. “People can shop online, shop from home, shop in the store, shop online while they are in the store. It just works out great.”
Online shopping is expected to reach almost $38 billion this year — a 15-percent jump from a year ago. But the 2.8 percent increase in stores is actually a smaller increase than 2010, when there was a 5.2 percent boost.
Retail analyst Marshal Cohen predicts consumers said it’s a sign the recovery is lagging. “Well it’s a little bit less than what we’ve seen during good times. So what this is really is a good growth but not great growth.”
Part of the reason: a lack of confidence due to inaction in Washington.
“There is no jobs program,” said Cohen. “There is no tax rebate that the president’s put on the table, so its really up to the consumer to go tow the line themselves.”
But retailers hope the earlier discounts will lure less confident customers into stores. Anthony Malave and his sister Damaris have been camped out since this morning at Best Buy, combining retail and relatives.
“I think they should make it a little later so people can have time with their family,” said Anthony, “and then go shopping.”
“But you’re still here?” Cordes asked him.
“I’m still here because I want the TV.”.
For retailers, there is a lot on the line. The holidays usually account for 25-40 percent of annual retail sales. Economists say that could mean as much as $466 billion in holiday sales revenue this year.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57331061/black-friday-begins-thursday-night/
