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Overall Black Friday weekend sales up only slightly

One of the  busiest shopping days of the year is the Friday after Thanksgiving affectionately known as Black Friday. Shoppers descend on stores like a biblical plague and spend lots of money. The serious shoppers have been known to camp out in front of retail stores to be the first in line as well.

Black Friday deals aren’t limited to brick and mortar retail outlets alone. Many online companies like Amazon.com also offer good deals on Black Friday. Analytics firm comScore has released details about online shopping on Black Friday and the top two websites for shoppers were Amazon and Walmart.com.

Overall sales on Black Friday were up 11% from the same day in 2008. Visits to Amazon rose 28% with visits to Walmart.com rising 22%. The two online retailers have been fighting for marketshare in the online industry leading to significant price competition.

ComScore previously reported that online shopping for the holiday season 2009 is expected to rise 3% to $28.8 billion compared to the $28 billion spent shopping online for the 2008 holiday season. The official kick off for the online shopping season is today, known as Cyber Monday.

"While this acceleration in spending suggests the online holiday season may be shaping up slightly more optimistically than anticipated, it may also reflect the heavy discounting and creative promotions being put forth by retailers that now encompass the use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter," said Fulgoni.

Sales were up overall, but CNN Money reports that the amount spent per person was down compared to 2008. This year the amount each person shopping over the weekend spent dropped to $343.31 compared to $372.57 in 2008. Total weekend spending was pegged at $41.2 billion, up from $41 billion in 2008.

NRF CEO Tracy Mullin said, "While retailers are encouraged by the number of Americans who shopped over Black Friday weekend, they know they have their work cut out for them to keep people coming back through Christmas."


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Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 10:45:04 AM , Rating: 5
I found this years Black Friday so called door buster deals to be the worst year ever. Sears claimed everything was a doorbuster. Best Buy didn't try at all since Circuit City isnt around to compete. Kind of feel they took the approach of if you dont get it from us who are you going to get it from? A lot like that product in hand experience still. I will say Amazon was smart with the slow release of stuff on their site keeping you coming back.

I also feel a lot of retailers saw black friday as a day to get rid of the junk. For instance the cheap electronics like blu-ray players that were offered were old models and had very poor reviews. There were very few highly rated items that were made door busters. It read many a horrible review about the doorbuster laptops that were offered.

Seriously it was like the places were just unloading their problem products and since most cant be returned after 30 days and will be opened on X-mas they really were sticking it to the consumers.

Shopping online through deal sites at random times was much better than any door buster I saw this season. Very few real deals this year.




RE: Compared to 2008
By jonmcc33 on 11/30/2009 10:44:49 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
Best Buy didn't try at all since Circuit City isnt around to compete. Kind of feel they took the approach of if you dont get it from us who are you going to get it from?


The internets? Haven't been to Best Buy in ages. I can get electronics anywhere online.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 10:57:04 AM , Rating: 4
Postal service sometimes handles packages like the NFL. Fine for hard drives, mobos, video cards etc but I cant get myself to buy an HDTV though the mail and trust the postal service not to drop it 5 times along the way. Especially this time of year when packages are piled high.

Luckily I found HHGREGG sometimes has prices that compete with online prices. They kicked Best Buy's arse with deals this year. I wish that Fry's was close to Charlotte they have better prices in the store than they do online.


RE: Compared to 2008
By ExarKun333 on 11/30/2009 11:16:46 AM , Rating: 3
+1.

The return policies of etailers leaves much to be desired as well. I can buy a HDTV at BB and return it for any reason within 30 days. No shipping fees, no restocking fees.

Online, I have to ship it back ($$$) and then pay a restocking fee if it doesn't meet the return "guidlines" such as having more than 16 bad pixels or something.


RE: Compared to 2008
By ebakke on 11/30/2009 11:32:40 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
cant get myself to buy an HDTV though the mail and trust the postal service not to drop it 5 times along the way
The USPS doesn't deliver TVs (unless you're talking smaller than 32"). They're delivered by private delivery companies.


RE: Compared to 2008
By stubeck on 11/30/2009 11:42:59 AM , Rating: 2
Yep, my tv came through great, cost me about $400 less than from Best Buy, and they would have installed it for free if I had wanted them to.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Entropy42 on 11/30/2009 2:44:59 PM , Rating: 2
I bought a 50" plasma from Amazon and had it shipped (a large-item shipping company, not USPS). Free "white glove" delivery where they bring it your home and put it where you want it, turn it on, and make sure everything works. Admittedly the return policy for a TV from Amazon is not as good as a brick and mortar store, but I saved quite a bit on the TV.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Breathless on 11/30/2009 10:47:44 AM , Rating: 2
I have to agree. I was not impressed by any deal that I saw... anywhere.

Where were the $60 blue ray players or $80 2TB hard drives.... SOMETHING, just something that would have made you go "WHOA, NOW THATS A DEAL".


RE: Compared to 2008
By Hiawa23 on 11/30/2009 11:21:48 AM , Rating: 2
I got NBA 2k10 for the Xbox 360 for $25 at Walmart & bought the Philips portable DVD player for $49, also got some Blu-rays for $10, so I was happy. Also got some blank dvd media at Comp USA for $10, so it was a good day for me, & Gamefly which to me has Black Friday prices everyday of the year also has a $10 off coupon, so I got what I was looking for this season, plus amazon mp3s were cheap.


RE: Compared to 2008
By The0ne on 11/30/2009 11:25:23 AM , Rating: 2
Wouldn't most of us agree that most shoppers aren't up to speed on what they are paying for? They simply see a cheaper price and will gladly pay for it. I mean, just watch some of the interviews on the news :) pretty hilarious at times.


RE: Compared to 2008
By roflagain on 11/30/2009 11:46:30 AM , Rating: 1
the problem is people will buy almost anything as long as they think they are getting a good deal. in fact, they'll join forums just to brag about their purchase...which most likely was a nice to have and not a necessity. i have to give credit to the retailers. they don't force people to buy anything. in fact, they sometimes make it difficult by offering mediocre deals or sell their junk like has been mentioned. if people are that ignorant to continue to buy this stuff and the retailers get rich...i say all the power to them.


RE: Compared to 2008
By bighairycamel on 11/30/2009 11:32:20 AM , Rating: 2
I think it really depends on what you're looking for. We needed a washer and dryer, and Sears had a Samsung front load combo for 999 (doorbuster). The washer retails at 899 and the dryer at 799 so the combo was nearly a steal.


RE: Compared to 2008
By roflagain on 11/30/2009 11:47:47 AM , Rating: 2
see what i mean?


RE: Compared to 2008
By peritusONE on 11/30/2009 12:00:05 PM , Rating: 2
What's wrong with him buying a washer and a dryer that he needed, while it was on sale? God forbid somebody think they are saving money.

Must suck to be a hermit who refuses to buy anything and dies, then all the money he saved goes to somebody else who spends it and enjoys life.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Spuke on 11/30/2009 1:23:28 PM , Rating: 2
That Samsung combo was a great deal!! I priced them individually on the web beforehand you couldn't find a better price. Frontloaders are not cheap and being able to get both the washer and dryer for $1000 is awesome. Too bad I already bought mine else I would've jumped all over that.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 3:57:02 PM , Rating: 2
Got to admit some of the appliances had some deals that's mainly because that market has been majorly hurting.

There is a stimulus package coming for energy efficient appliances soon.
http://wetheadmedia.com/appliance-stimulus-package...

quote:
If you are looking to replace some major appliances in your house you will be able to save anywhere from $50 to $200 dollars off of the retail price with the new appliance stimulus package. This “cash for appliances” program is a great way to save money on replacing your water heater, boiler, refrigerator, air conditioner, dishwasher and many other appliances.


North Carolina is going to occur in April during the green planet expo. Could be up to 15% of your purchase and you could qualify for a rebate from your gas/electric company also.


RE: Compared to 2008
By ebakke on 11/30/2009 11:40:59 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
Seriously it was like the places were just unloading their problem products and since most cant be returned after 30 days and will be opened on X-mas they really were sticking it to the consumers.
Companies like Best Buy extend their return policy to cover the scenario you just described. Things purchased in all of November and December can be returned until January 31 of the following year. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=page&...

And places like Walmart give you 90 days.

In short, your pseudo-conspiracy theory argument sucks.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 12:19:37 PM , Rating: 1
Walmart is great for returns. Best Buy not so good.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/best-buy...

Yea we all know Best Buy is so friendly with return items. I spent an hour trying to return a TV that stopped working after only two weeks. I blame the manufacturer but BestBuy had to have several people approve the replacement. The tech even admitted they have seen quite a few of them come back so why the hassle? Its was obviously a product issue they were aware of not 2 weeks of abuse.

The exception list pretty much covers most of what Best Buy Sells.

From the link you submitted.

Product exceptions
Gift type Return deadline
• Monitors
• Projectors
• Digital cameras
• Camcorders
• Radar detectors
• Video games purchased used
January 31, 2010
• Desktop computers
• Notebook computers
• Netbook computers Online orders: 14 days from date merchandise is received

In-store purchases: 14 days from date of purchase

14-Day Return Period
Fourteen days from the date merchandise was received, refunds are available on computers, monitors, notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, and radar detectors.

30-Day Return Period
Thirty days from the date merchandise was received, refunds are available on the remainder of our products (see exceptions below).

Exceptions
The following items are not returnable :

* Labor and/or installation services
* Items that are abused
* Opened computer software, movies, music and video games
o If the original item is opened and is damaged or defective, or if an incorrect item was shipped, you may receive credit for these items. Please see details below (Damaged, Defective or Incorrect Items section).
* Digital content (e.g. music downloads from Napster)
* Pitch In™ Card contributions
* iTunes prepaid music cards
* Best Buy Digital Music Store cards
* Best Buy/Kodak Gallery Prepaid Photo Cards
* UMusic Prepaid Ringtone cards

Any merchandise missing the original Universal Product Code (UPC) cannot be returned. If the item is damaged or defective, please see details below.

Restocking Fee
A 15% restocking fee will be charged on opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS navigation and in-car video systems. A 25% restocking fee will be charged on special order products, including appliances. These fees apply unless the item is defective or damaged, you received the wrong item, or the fee is prohibited by law.


RE: Compared to 2008
By ebakke on 11/30/2009 12:42:28 PM , Rating: 2
I wasn't arguing that Best Buy's return policy was grand. I was arguing that the likelihood of Best Buy trying to offload crap merchandise now and screw customers with a 30-day return policy is weak, at best. If you look through BB's Black Friday ad, you'll see there are plenty of items (doorbusters included) that aren't in the exception list. Also, the 14-day exception list is the same list that normally has a 14-day policy and a restocking fee.

Lastly, you can always return an item at BB without a receipt and get store credit. So it could've been purchased 4 months ago for all they know. Best Buy is especially lenient with this after Christmas.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 4:43:36 PM , Rating: 2
BestBuy is a horrible return process. Been through it myself on an exchange. Didn't mean to imply conspiracy but wouldn't be surprised if there is an influx of problems on returns from them because they make the process long and drawn out. I believe returns are at the mercy of the manager and how many other returns the store has received if there is a high return rate its a bad reflection to the manager. Someone posted an article on how to tell if your return will have problems. There was some chart where you could see and determine the return rate in that store for the week or month but cant find the link.

Im my issue I had to see the customer service, then geeksquad had to check it out and they acknowledged a high death rate occurred on my unit, then finally the manager had to approve it and he took his time with the decision looking me up and down and checking inventory. Luckily Im a 6'-1" weight lifter which probably swayed his decision in my favor. With NewEgg one call RMA send it back refund or replacement never been hit with a restocking fee with NewEgg. NewEgg is excellent customer service. Walmart has been no hassle also. Buy.com sent me a shipping label and no charge to ship an item back for replacement. BestBuy Interrogated me on a request to exchange an item that was known to have a high problem rate. I still shop there but with caution on the item. I would really like to be treated the same way at BestBuy. They would get a lot more of my business if they acted accordingly.

The fact that the Brick NJ BestBuy had the deceptive in store price and website trick didnt help either. When I asked the clerk about the price they went to the internal website which had a higher price. When I got home the sale price was different.

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/best-buy...

Im sorry if I dont have trust in BestBuy.

All the Black Friday door busters I saw from BestBuy were items that had horrible reviews on reliability and performance.


RE: Compared to 2008
By tviceman on 11/30/2009 12:06:24 PM , Rating: 2
I got two new palm pre's from best buy for $80 a piece. The week before they were $150, and the next closest sale for pre's on black friday that I found was $99.99.

It may not have been a door buster since the sale price was good for two days, but it was a really good deal.


RE: Compared to 2008
By eek2121 on 11/30/2009 1:05:27 PM , Rating: 2
You didn't look hard enough. My mother-in-law bought me a 46" panasonic 1080p TV for $698 as an early Christmas Gift. That isn't a door buster? Can you find a 46" 1080p TV that cheap normally? Lowest new price I've seen is over $1,000.


RE: Compared to 2008
By Mitch101 on 11/30/2009 3:50:31 PM , Rating: 2
Like I said I wish Fry's was in Charlotte

PANASONIC TH-46PZ85U 46" 1080P PLASMA HDTV $649.90
http://www.frys.com/product/5534200


Crazy...
By jonmcc33 on 11/30/2009 10:42:58 AM , Rating: 1
$343.31 per person? This is why children no longer appreciate what they have. All seem to be spoiled rotten.




RE: Crazy...
By Ristogod on 11/30/2009 10:50:21 AM , Rating: 2
Perhaps they'll develop a new appreciation for things when this debt-based economy collapses and they realize all the money and effort was wasted in the need to obtain excessive amounts of depreciating good and no actual assets.


RE: Crazy...
By Kurz on 11/30/2009 11:05:26 AM , Rating: 2
Swoosh.

Very good post.


RE: Crazy...
By roflagain on 11/30/2009 11:54:14 AM , Rating: 1
if you're waiting for this debt-based economy to collapse, that will never happen. if you're also waiting for people to "learn" from the errors of their spending that will most definitely NOT happen. the economic doomsday prophets came and went...although some still lurk at google finance. we're past all that. yeah, yeah unemployment is up, etc. but look how people are still spending on black friday and will continue to spend. movie theaters are packed, restaurants are doing well, people are vacationing as always. when all of us are without homes, jobs and standing on a cheese line, then talk to me about an economic collapse.


RE: Crazy...
By Hiawa23 on 11/30/2009 11:56:31 AM , Rating: 5
Perhaps they'll develop a new appreciation for things when this debt-based economy collapses and they realize all the money and effort was wasted in the need to obtain excessive amounts of depreciating good and no actual assets.

Some of you are so negative it's sickening. I think most people know what they wanted when they went out, & if they stumbled onto something else, then it was all good. I really don't agree that many are sheep. I tend to look at the glass being 1/2 full & based on the prelim numbers seems like BF was good considering everything what is going on. My child has an appreciation for what she has & how some of you make these senseless broad statements like the one above is hilarious. Too much judging goes on as usual in these online forums. I guess some would have preferred worse numbers or something.


RE: Crazy...
By tmouse on 12/2/2009 9:06:33 AM , Rating: 2
It's a bit early to make predictions, even for a glass half full person. BF sales are not a predictor of holiday sales because they represent sales based on unusually low prices. So sales can be very good on BF but really represent people spending less for the holidays. The lower purchase total per person is not a good sign. Yes, sales were better than last year by a small margin but sales during the 2008 BF were 8% better than 2007 and the period sales ended up as a net loss of 2%. If sales continue then things may be looking up but things like bad weather or if sales drop to the floor (ie: people got the majority of their shopping done at ultra low sale prices spending less money) then things are far from over. I still have serious doubts since I keep hearing how local governments are not only requiring "stimulus" monies to just keep afloat but some are now borrowing on next year potential handouts to close this year's deficits. That's really bad news, currently we are just propping things up by borrowing from the future, adding in cost increases and interest means a overall decrease in the time when it will no longer be possible to continue this insane practice. The question is what do we do then? I have yet to see one long term solution to address any of the problems we have today. We have made absolutely no effort to change the way we have been doing business over the last couple of decades which got us into this mess in the first place. These "stimulus" packages are not really stimulating anything, they are stopping a overall decline for a brief time with no real growth or permanent change to the underlying problems. I used to be a glass half full guy the problem is now the glass is only a quarter full.


RE: Crazy...
By peritusONE on 11/30/2009 12:03:09 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
Perhaps they'll develop a new appreciation for things when this debt-based economy collapses and they realize all the money and effort was wasted in the need to obtain excessive amounts of depreciating good and no actual assets.


Then once you work your entire life for these so called "assets", you die, and you didn't buy anything you actually enjoyed because you were too busy trying to save back money.

You keep buying your assets, I'll keep buying stupid stuff with my disposable income.


RE: Crazy...
By Hiawa23 on 11/30/2009 12:17:24 PM , Rating: 1
Then once you work your entire life for these so called "assets", you die, and you didn't buy anything you actually enjoyed because you were too busy trying to save back money.

You keep buying your assets, I'll keep buying stupid stuff with my disposable income.

I agree with this to a point as life is too short, & I plan to enjoy my days however many more I have, 35 so far, as I see fit or can afford. Personal responsibility has always been an issue for many but it's interesting how many try to make this out to be something new or something. I don't make judgements on others habits. Live your life as you see fit, & what Brett Favre, or Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton does or how many young starlets gets knocked up, or how many women Tiger Woods(alegedly)has relations with really doesn't affect me, or the way I raise my child. Seems some need to quit propping up these stars just cause they make alot of money, develop some values & take personal reponsibitly for your own, & childrens lives.

My mother always told me, it's great to want to rap like Tupac or play basketball like Michael Jordan, but never put these humans on a pedistal, as they flawed like the rest of us, only they make more money, & it's up to myself & your father to teach you values so that you can be a responsible, productive member of society. That has always stuck with me, & these values are the same I pass on to my ll year old.


What I did
By JuPO5b4REqAYbSPUlMcP on 11/30/2009 11:30:02 AM , Rating: 1
Went to the Oregon coast and kayaked the entire 4 day weekend. Shopping didn't enter my mindset once.

Ah, the glory life of not being a sheep.




RE: What I did
By roflagain on 11/30/2009 11:39:12 AM , Rating: 4
i'd pat you on the back, but your hand is in the way.


RE: What I did
By spleendamage on 11/30/2009 12:15:56 PM , Rating: 2
Loved this response.


RE: What I did
By TSS on 11/30/2009 12:23:51 PM , Rating: 2
You mean the glory life of having an solid income?

To me, an increase in sales but an decrease in money spent per person simply means more people went budget shopping, getting good deals for stuff they where going to get anyway.

It's a very logical thing to do if your on a tight budget. Wait for the deals to come around, buy what you need, then use what you save to help pay the bills.

Don't forget black friday last year was a disaster (compared to 2007) thanks to the economic crisis. If people are spending even less this year, and even more people are bargain hunting, you have more people spending less. I'm a negative thinker i know but then still that's not a positive thing.

That said, why is this news here? :P This is economic news, not tech news.


RE: What I did
By Hieyeck on 11/30/2009 12:51:38 PM , Rating: 2
Did you have indians guide you or did you caulk it and float it?


Meh
By dagamer34 on 11/30/2009 11:26:13 PM , Rating: 2
I bought all my stuff online from Amazon.com. In-store deals weren't all that enticing to me. Besides, for the most part, the deals you find on Black Friday is crap stores are trying to sell off anyways (especially electronics), because CES is within a month or so.




Spent about $250 this year
By Ard on 11/30/2009 11:36:42 PM , Rating: 2
All I have to say is Amazon is king! They price matched damn near every deal BB and Walmart put out this year, whether we're talking movies, music, or games (the areas I focused on). Picked up 5 games (all but 1 released within the last 4-5 months) at an average of $25/game (+ Monkey Island for $2.50 on Steam), 8 BDs at an average of $10/BD, 2 seasons of Entourage at $10/ep, the Blueprint 3 for $5, and 2 years of Real Simple (for the wife) for $10. Damn good haul if I do say so myself!




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