Day after Thanksgiving typically busiest day to shop during the holiday season

Nov. 27--Each year on Thanksgiving Day families across the country spread out the inserts and ads in their newspapers and establish a plan for shopping that would be the envy of any military strategist.

On Friday, crowds of people will deluge stores looking for the best buys and biggest bargains to get a jump on their Christmas shopping.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, typically is the biggest shopping day of the season, and the weekend has grown into one of the biggest retail times of the year.

"People coordinate by cell phone even from different parts of the same store," said Enid News & Eagle Publisher Jeff Funk.

Funk said Thursday ads are used to determine which stores to hit first and second to find the best bargains.

"It's impressive how people use the newspaper inserts to plan ahead. They start early, they are methodical and they come home with tired feet and happy faces," he said.

The News & Eagle typically goes to press two hours early the night before Thanksgiving to allow carriers extra time to deliver the large bundles of paper. Thanksgiving typically is one of the fattest newspapers of the year.

"Advertising is important for readers, and the Thanksgiving Day paper proves it," Funk said.

The day after Thanksgiving typically is called Black Friday, said Brad Blankenship, president of Security National Bank, because it is the day businesses go from being in the red to being in the black for the year.

"Being in the black is a good thing. It means they are finally making money for the year," he said.

The term Black Friday dates back to the 1960s and originated in Philadelphia, referring to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and media have used it to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black, or making a profit.

However, the day after Thanksgiving isn't always the biggest day of the year. Michelle Magistri, of Dillard's in Oakwood Mall, said she expects a lot of people going through the store to see what they have, but the biggest day will probably be the Saturday before Christmas. In fact, that entire weekend will probably be big, she said.

"We're doing a lot of promotions and one-day specials (Friday). If you purchase $100 by noon on your Dillard's credit card, you get a reward credited back to the account," she said.

Dillard's also will feature an entire stock of bedding, linens and bath accessories that are half off.

They also will do a handbag trade. If customers bring in their old handbags, they will receive a specific amount taken off the purchase of a new one, and the entire stock of girls and boys sportswear will be 40 percent off.

With lower gas prices, some shoppers will have extra money to spend this year, and a big day is expected by the National Retail Federation. The federation predicts 128 million people nationwide -- down slightly from last year's 135 million -- will shop Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

According to an NRF survey, 49 million people definitely will hit stores and another 79 million are waiting to see the weekend deals before making a decision.

"Retailers realize that low prices will get consumers into stores this holiday season, and this could be the most heavily promotional Black Friday in history," said Tracy Mullin, NRF president and CEO.

Bob Clemens, of Bell Jewelers in downtown Enid, said he expects to be busy Friday.

"It should be a busy day, Friday," he said. "It will be a great shopping experience, a lot of fun. We have cookies and punch, and there's Enid Lights Up the Plains Friday night," he said.

Clemens said the Friday after Thanksgiving is not traditionally his busiest day of the year, although it will be busy. In the jewelry business, he said, the busiest days seem to be Dec. 23 and 24. However, he said, there will be many people downtown and it will be festive and everyone will have a good time.

Bell Jewelry will be open until 7 p.m. or later and will hold its annual open house Friday.

"It's kicking off the season, getting everyone in the mood to go shopping. I don't think the economy is as bad here as it is some places. Santa will mount up on his sleigh anyway and bring some happiness to everybody," Clemens said.

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