Black Friday sales ring in

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Black Friday didn’t disappoint this year, as nationally it was among retailers’ highest sales days during the holiday shopping season.
    According to CNN Money, retail sales on Black Friday climbed 6.6 percent this year to an estimated $11.4 billion. Last year, sales climbed just 0.3 percent to $10.7 billion, which was a record one-day sales amount at the time, according to ShopperTrak, which tracks foot traffic at malls and stores.
    And, the friendly, local Houlton Walmart was part of that trend. Driving into the store, not a parking place could be found, as parked cars spilled over into Shop ‘n Save’s parking lot. People began lining up at 9:30 p.m. in anticipation for the 10 p.m. opening as stated on the Walmart flyer, only to find Maine law prohibits the early opening.
    So, after waiting nearly two hours in line, the doors opened at midnight and in an orderly fashion, people entered the store looking to fill their Christmas wish lists.
    What was amazing beyond the number of people at one locale was that many came away with carts filled and hardly any blood shed. Despite the cramped quarters, people were generally apologetic if they bumped into you with a cart as they tried to make their way through the maze looking for their deals.
    Among the various items on sale, electronics again were the drawing point for many. Flat screen televisions, cameras and laptops were among the most favored gifts.
    But, what was ironic was that household appliances were also a big hit. Go figure. The waffle irons were sold out and Rubber Maid containers were going out of the store quickly. Other items that drew interest were the triple crock pot and upright freezers.
    Xboxes, video games and movies were among the “good” deals that day.
    Sears of Houlton also held a Black Friday sale beginning at 4 a.m.
    “We were very busy,” said Bart Dunn, store owner. “We had lots of door busters, so we had all kinds of people in here.”
    This year, Dunn said that Sears didn’t get the crowd coming back from Walmart because they opened at midnight.
    “So, my guess is, Sears will probably be having us open at midnight next year,” he concluded.
    The big ticket items for Sears, according to Dunn, is appliances and tools.
    “With us it is the appliances because that is our niche,” he added. “The tools we did pretty good with because we have a lot of the Craftsman tools.”
    Olympia also had a good turnout for their 5 a.m. sale, with sporting goods and clothes marked down.
    In Bangor, the mall and stores were filled, but not in close quarters as Houlton Walmart. The Bangor Mall opened with early-bird specials drawing a majority of people in. As the time of sales passed, many people left the mall, as well.