Did crowds turn out on Black Friday?

Shoppers uneasy with prices on some items. “Electronics appear to be the early winner this Black Friday, with discounters doing well early and door-busters bringing in big crowds. At higher-end department stores, the crowds were thinner and consumers seemed to be more interested in buying less expensive items.” (Wall Street Journal)

A reporter says retailers will do well this holiday season, if a crammed Walmart is any indication. “They came by truck, by van and even by taxi. But they all came for the deals. Hordes of shoppers descended upon Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, on Friday in hopes of securing some of the early deals of the holiday shopping season.” (CNNMoney.com)

Shoppers turned out but weren’t buying like crazy as in years past. ” U.S. consumers kicked off the holiday shopping season on Friday, with a strong turnout for early-morning bargains, though many said they were being more selective about what they buy and paring back what they spend.” (Reuters)

Some stores see massive sales. “Cecilia Auth came to Toys R Us at 4 a.m. Friday with one item on her list: a Star Wars All Terrain Tactical Enforcer for her 7-year-old son. But when she got to the toy store on Pulaski Highway in Rosedale, she was so impressed by the deals she walked out with a shopping cart full of toys — presents for her son, daughter, two nieces and a neighbor.” (Baltimore Sun)