Is Black Friday still a big deal?

He was surprised by the amount of deals from each store and variety of people willing to spend big bucks on items.

The doors at Glik’s opened at 6 a.m. this morning and employee Rachael Sellars, who happens to be an avid Black Friday shopper, says the crowds are calmer than previous years. Overall, the trade group estimates about 135.8 million people will be shopping during the four-day weekend, compared with 133.7 million past year.

Business is still booming for many online retailers as initial Black Friday sales reports show that more and more people are choosing to use their mobile devices to shop.

In Atlanta, many took advantage of Black Friday deals, purchasing everything from 55-inch flat screen televisions to video game consoles.

“They ruin Thanksgiving for people”.

Traffic through the lakes area was busy Friday with crowds reported in area stores and parking lots sporting many vehicles from Herberger’s to Big Lots in the Westgate Mall to numerous shops and big box stores in Baxter and Brainerd. “I just want to get it today”. Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page.

Meanwhile, at Northgate Mall – the Hixson mall also owned by CBL Properties – it was a similar story. “Good sales and it puts you in the holiday mood”, Caroline Franklin said.

For some, the Grinch stole Thanksgiving this year, as thousands of sales employees for several major retailers were forced to forsake part of their family holiday to get an early start on “Black Friday”, the traditional launch date for America’s seasonal gift shopping spree.

Black Friday shopping is shifting from hours spent in line to more time online.

Analysts interpreted the move by Walmart and other maneuvers by Target Corp. and J.C. Penney Co.as an attempt to win shoppers back from Amazon.com, whose product discounts and shipping promotions are eating away at retail profits. Keeping that in mind, there’s no doubt that over the next few years the autumnal shopping event will become more streamlined and appealing, constituting the start of the Christmas shopping period, allowing shoppers to reap the benefits with better offers and longer sales. That’s a change from the massive crush that used to mark Black Friday store openings. We’re very happy with our site speed. It’s just a different sale for every hour.

Still, this month’s “11.11 Singles’ Day” shopping extravaganza in China holds the biggest online record.

The drop in Thanksgiving Day visits may also reflect a “social backlash” against stores opening on that day, Kearns said.