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• Black Friday sales results were up about 2% over 2007 statistics. Top sellers appear to have been electronics, apparel and moderately-priced jewelry. Most analysts still project a drop in sales for the holiday season, however, and profits have been hurt by sale prices.CNN: Keeping an eye on the malls (November 29, 2008) Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Early data shows strong Black Friday (November 29, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Retailers expect to earn about 25-40% of their annual sales in November and DecemberMinneapolis Star Tribune: Twin Cities shoppers: Bargains, or bust (November 29, 2008)
  2. "Black Friday" refers to the fact that many retailers make a profit for the year on this day (that is, they go into the black)New York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy (November 29, 2008)
  3. Two men were shot to death on Black Friday 2008 in a dispute at a Toys "R" Us store in Palm Desert, CaliforniaNew York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy (November 29, 2008)
  4. A Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by shoppers in Long IslandNew York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy (November 29, 2008)
  5. Fights and injuries were reported at several other Wal-Mart storesNew York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy
  6. Hot Item: Women's Ugg bootsCNN: Keeping an eye on the malls (November 29, 2008)
  7. Preliminary reports from major retailers said crowds were about the same in 2008 as in the previous yearBoston Globe: Black Friday takes a hit from the economy (November 29, 2008)
  8. Big winners were at discount chains, especially where large sales were announced earlyNew York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy
  9. People surveyed for BIGresearch said they planned to spend lessBoston Globe: Black Friday takes a hit from the economy (November 29, 2008)

• Five-Year Black Friday Results

  • 2004: $414.6 billion
  • 2005: $435.6 billion
  • 2006: $457.4 billion
  • 2007: $460.2 billion
  • 2008: $470.4 billionCNN: Keeping an eye on the malls (November 29, 2008)

• Quotes

  "I think [the fighting seen at some stores] ties into a sort of fear and panic of not having enough. Fear combined with the group mentality? It doesn't surprise me at all."—Joe Priester, USC business professor and former president of the Society for Consumer PsychologyNew York Times: All Eyes on Holiday Shopping Turnout in Bleak Economy (November 29, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Walmart Stampede | Toys R Us Shooting | Black Friday Mob Mentality | Black Friday Violence | Black Friday | Black Friday Tips | Walmart Black Friday | Target Black Friday | Circuit City Black Friday | Black Friday Ads | Cyber Monday | Black Friday Sales

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