Show Black Friday kicks off the Holidays Thanksgiving Weekend Joshua Harrison There are many family traditions that student Ashley Johns and her family carry cant out during the Thanksgiving break Things like watching football pigging out on turkey and looking through all the holiday ads But over the thelast thelast thelast last few years she and her friends have started a new tradition It the one day of the year that we can shop 24 hours strait said Johns A lotof Lot Lotof lotof of the malls now open at midnight and the stores run some great deals We save savea a lot of money even if we have to run all over town Thanksgiving has changed over the years It has become much more commercial and now it appears to just be the day before the biggest shopping day of the year I remember growing up as a child all we did was sit around watching the Macys Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and eating turkey said student Steven Hilton We never even thought about going shopping Now all the stores start celebrating Christmas right after Halloween It seems like we have forgotten all about Thanksgiving We are more concerned on what kind of deals we can get and how much money we can save This is just what retailers want shoppers to focus on especially this year With so much turmoil and uncertainty affecting the economy companies wanted shoppers to come out and spend money They hope that with strong sales over the Thanksgiving weekend they can have a successful fourth quarter and end the year on a high note This weekend is a nightmare and a blessing all in one said Eric Radcliff a store manager at Office Max We love this weekend because itcan it itcan itcan can save our year sales- sales wise It makes up roughly 10 percent of our fourth quarter But I always dread this weekend the days start early and the hours are long but it is all worth it when the numbers come in Every year there seems to be some sort of injury or fight that gives Black Friday a black eye This year was no different A security guard was trampled to death and at least four others were injured including an eight- eight month pregnant woman at ata ata ata a Wal-Mart Wal in Long Island N. N NY Y when a horde of eager shoppers burst through the door And in Palm Springs Calif two men died when shooting erupted in a Toys R RUs Us The scariest thing is having to open the doors doors- said Radcliff Hundreds of people come running through pulling and pushing just so that they can get one of the limited door buster items I have even had people fight over items as they try to get the last one Luckily I have never had any of my customers or employees hurt but I have hav heard some horror stories The good news this year is that sales have increased over last year according to Corp a Chicago-based Chicago research firm that tracks s sales les for thousands of retail outlets Last year shoppers spent about billion on the day after Thanksgiving this year it increased 3 percent to around S I 06 billion It was crazy said John JohnMark JohnMark JohnMark Mark who works at Sears in Fashion Place Mall I have never seen anything like this during the 42 years I have worked here I have never seen it this busy Normally shoppers come comein comein comein in for electronics clothes and tools but this year they bought appliances too Many are hoping the increase of sal sales s is a good sign for retailers and the economy but it will take some time to see And even if they dont don't there is still no doubt that the holiday season has officially kicked off We like to go shopping the day Johns said Not just because of the sales but it kicks off our holiday season and puts me in the holiday mood |