Sunday, November 25, 2012
On Thursday, people gave thanks for what they have. The next day, they rushed out to buy things they want—whether for themselves or to give to others.
Thanksgiving has all but disappeared from the major media landscape. The Halloween candy wasn't even down to only Smarties when Christmas trees appeared in stores. Black Friday sales didn't even wait for Friday this year. There were several retailers who decided to bump up the rush by opening the doors Thanksgiving night. Walmart's Black Friday deals started at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving, according to the Journal Sentinel. And Target stores opened at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving, according to Bloomburg Business Week. In 2011, sales were estimated to be $11.4 million—a 6.6 percent increase over 2010—according to a CNN report on Black Friday sales. But almost half of them were buying things for themselves, 11 percent more than reported doing so in 2010. It'…
Friday, November 23, 2012
It's Black Friday, and that means great deals—and huge crowds. What makes it worth the wait for you this year?
It's the official start of the holiday shopping season... Get ready for stores to open earlier than ever (even on Thanksgiving night), lines and incredible deals. Are you out shopping today? Upload a picture of yourself waiting in line (outside or inside) and be sure to share your bargains in the comments!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Hit the mall ready to shop smart with these tricks of the trade.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
It's time to get your shop on, and rise of online shopping and Cyber Monday has given deal-hungry consumers some options.
With Thanksgiving occurring on the earliest possible day this year, the official holiday shopping season is as long as it can be. For years, the Friday following Thanksgiving — Black Friday — was the unquestioned king of that season. But the furious growth of the Internet has spawned Cyber Monday, an online shopping frenzy that grew 22 percent from 2010 to $1.25 billion in sales in the United States. It still pales in comparison to Black Friday, which last year generated $52.4 billion in sales, up from $45 billion in 2010. Many shoppers enjoy the early rising, elbow-to-elbow aisles and energy of in-person shopping on Black Friday, and the game-planning that goes with it. Others would prefer to sit in their home or office and cross off gift…
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Bargain shopper extraordinaire Sara Conrad shares her plan for how to find the best deals—and survive—Black Friday shopping.
Can you believe it's that time again? The red, white and blue is through, turkey time is on the horizon and all that's left to do is fill our shopping bags with holiday cheer. If your pocket book is a bit tight this year or you just dig a good deal, Black Friday has your name written all over it. But before you head out into the retail rush, here's my top tips to make it worth your while to head out and take part in this traditional holiday hustle. 1) Getchyer game plan. Take a cue out of the NFL's playbook and choreograph your Black Friday moves. Know exactly what you want, where it is and when you're going to get it. In the olden days, pre world wide web, one would have to wait for the Thanksgiving Day newspaper to peruse and plan. Now…
Monday, November 28, 2011
With an uptick in sales over last year in the malls, the focus for shoppers - and scammers - now turns to the internet.
While actual numbers are not in yet, estimates for Black Friday sales ranged anywhere from six to more than 16 percent over last years sales. As the crowds now head back to work, they don't necessarily stop shopping, and hence 'Cyber Monday' is born. While nearly everyone has a computer at home, many who don't want their kids or spouse to see what they're ordering do so on their work computers, in a big way. According to the National Retail Federation, seven in 10 online retailers expect their sales to grow at least 15 percent this holiday season. The survey also found that the average person plans to do 36 percent of his or her holiday shopping online – up from 33 percent last year. While shopping online means avoiding the crowds, but it …
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Many stores are open when the smudge of gravy will still be on many people's faces. Here's a list of stores in the area, hours and links to their ads. Good luck and good shopping!
BEST BUY KMART KOHL'S SEARS TARGET TOYS R US WALMART Black Friday events will be held at the following times: Didn't see your favorite store? To see sneak peeks of all Black Friday sale fliers, click here. LOCAL MALL HOURS & INFO BAYSHORE TOWN CENTER, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale Start Time: The mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 7 a.m. on Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! BROOKFIELD SQUARE, 95 N. Moorland Road, Brookfield Start Time: The mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 5 a.m. Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! SOUTHRIDGE MALL, 5300 S. 76th St., Greendale Start Time: The mall is closed Thanksgiving Day. Doors open at 3 a.m. on Friday. Click here to see sales and specials! …
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
We compiled tweets, links and videos from local online users preparing, or avoiding, the year's largest shopping day.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Politicos trying to force Wisconsin's governor into a recall election are planning to be out among the frenzy of shoppers.
As if Black Friday needed more craziness. The annual shopping frenzy will have a dash of the political this year as supporters of an effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker plan to circulate petitions among the deal-hungry masses. Wisconsin Democrats are planning to collect signatures in the Milwaukee area at several stores, including: Recall supporters won't have any luck at Southridge Mall, said Mary Mokwa, manager of the mall. Collecting signatures is a form of soliciting, Mokwa said, and the mall allows no soliciting inside of the building or in its parking lot. The closest recall supporters could get to the shopping center are the public sidewalks surrounding the Southridge property, she said. "If we would observe them and we would …
Leah Szymborski
11:34 am on Monday, November 26, 2012
I think the stores should wait until Friday to open their doors. Thursday is still a day people should spend with their families, not rushing to get the best deals. more ›