UNDATED - Shoppers jammed stores from Gainesville to Buford before dawn Friday to grab discounted TVs, toys and the hard-to-find Nintendo Wii, for the official start of the holiday season.
Bryna Puckett from Dacula came looking for a Wii at the Mall of Georgia and said she did not mind all the shopping hustle and bustle too much.
"I have four children at home so this is really no more of a zoo than it is at my house," she said.
Stores are counting on hordes of shoppers who have pulled back in recent months. Merchants need them to keep coming throughout the holiday season to make their sales goals.
Barbara Young from Southhaven, Mississippi said she was glad to oblige.
"You know, there are no limits to shopping," she said." We're planning on spending the day."
Mall Manager Mike Lowery looked at the turnout of early bird buyers and said he was pleased.
"We have a fabulous crowd," Lowery said. "I think this is a bigger crowd than we've had in some time so we're really optimistic about this season."
J.C. Penney Co., which opened at 4 a.m., an hour earlier than last year, served up such deals as a leather massage recliner for $298.88, after a $50 mail in rebate. The original price was $799. Other deals include 50 percent off toys and board games.
According to the National Retail Foundation holiday spending is expected to increase by four percent this season.
Thursday
October 17th, 2024
1:27AM
