Retailers ready for Black Friday

Steve Mitchell, general manager of Best Buy in Florence, looked relaxed in the days just before the shopping onslaught called Black Friday.

"We're working on a lot of big plans," he said. "For the initial opening, our focus is customer flow and safety," Mitchell said.

Shoals retailers hope Black Friday will bring a spending boost despite a weakened economy, soft job market, low consumer confidence and overall flat retail sales.

Consumer confidence declined in October, based on surveys of 5,000 households.

Retail sales in October remained flat compared to the previous month, according the National Retail Federation, a trade group.

In Alabama, the Iron Bowl will be a novelty for retailers. The traditional Alabama-Auburn game will be Friday instead of the usual Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The new schedule will produce a "big difference. Capital B. Capital I. Capital G," Mitchell said.

Mitchell expects more crowds Saturday and even the expected Friday afternoon lull will give workers respite before happy or sad football fans shop away their joy or frustration.

Brenda Bryant, general manager for the Muscle Shoals Kmart, said 20 percent of Black Friday business occur in the first hour, and by 11 a.m., the store would have 60 percent of its sales.

"You don't know what is going to be the most popular - you can think you know," Bryant said. "If there's going to be something hot, it's going to be electronic."

Even atypical shops are in on Black Friday. The French Basket, a gift and decor shop in Florence will give a little gift to customers along with refreshments.

"We are pampering them a little more than they would get from their regular retailer," owner Paige Thornton said.

Cindy Roddenberry, general manager at Target in Florence, called the day Green Friday and said 60 seasonal employees have been hired.

"It's fast, fun and friendly," she said. The first 500 to spend $100 or more will get $10 gift cards - one more enticement for retail campers to stay overnight.

Best Buy focused on increasing its stock on everything, not just door busters, to avoid having to turn away customers.

Web sites leaked deals scheduled for Black Friday, and Best Buy adjusted its prices promptly.

Prices on panel televisions continue to drop - around 30 to 40 percent from a year ago, Mitchell said. Bundles also are offered to entice shoppers to buy not only the television, but the surround sound, movie player and other accessories.

"We're being aggressive with not wanting anybody getting market share," Mitchell said.

Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@TimesDaily.com.