The sad reality is this shopping day is supposed to be the beginning of the shopping season, not the pinnacle of it. I don't believe that this so called "Thanksgiving Creep" that caused stores to open earlier is going to make for increased sales or revenue. I believe that it will lead to protracted sales. History has shown us that there are better bargains to be found on other days. History has also shown us that the Friday shopper is finishing making major purchases. So therefore additional purchases after this event will probably not be significant.
The large issue here is the economy. It continues to lag as we try and fix some major financial missteps of our past. The average consumer does not have the same income to spend. People will continue to buy things for Christmas and I wish them well. The reality is people can't spend what they don't have. Forcing people to miss a family tradition of Thanksgiving is not the answer.
I think Black Friday is what it is, a simple exercise of supply and demand. Retailers know there's a demand for certain items, especially those considered to be the "hot item" of the season. Consumers know retailers will only have a limited supply of these items, often times having no more than 5 in the store, and sometimes less. Factor in the competitive nature of people and the stage is set,it's like Field of Dreams "if you advertise it, they will come." The consumers who are determined to get their hands on the hot items will line up at noon to be one of the first, if not the first in line to be one of the luky 5. I don't think retail is forcing people to give up a family tradition. Retail is providing an opportunity for consumers to exercise their spending power and make purchases starting on the actual holiday of their own free will. As for the economy, record breaking spending happened on Black Friday. Over the 4 day weekend, consumers shelled out $59.1 Billion this year. The upper echelon cannot be the only ones contributing to that number, there has to be some average people spending too.
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