Black Friday is traditionally known as the biggest shopping day of the year. With the state of the current economy still at a low point, how did Black Friday 2009 shape up? Did consumers bring the ka-ching to the nation’s retailers or has Black Friday turned red?

Overall, retailers made some major changes in their Black Friday preparations this year. After slow sales last year forced many retailers to slash prices just before the Christmas holiday to clear inventory, retailers were more cautious this year on how much inventory they had in stock. Last year, the registers showed a 3.4% drop in sales over previous Black Friday receipts, but the expectation this year was raised to only a 1% drop in sales, according to The National Retailer’s Association. Overall projections for Black Friday sales were $437.6 billion. On a bright note, consumer spending was up .7% in October, according to the Commerce Department. This percentage was better than expected.

Shoppers were out in full force this year, but many seemed to be keeping a close watch on how they spent their shopping dollars. Most shoppers were definitely looking for items that were a good deal. Typical shoppers were expecting plenty of sales still to come before the Christmas holiday.

Online shopping is seeing a surge as well, although here too, consumers were looking for the best deals. Last year, Cyber Monday, the Monday after Black Friday, was the day online sales came out in full force. This year, Cyber Black Friday was part of the overall shopping mania. Many Cyber Black Friday deals will run through the weekend, but by Cyber Monday, shoppers may be looking at empty wallets, due to all the early sales.

Retailers were harnessing the power of social media outlets like Facebook to broadcast sales with special promotional codes and text messages being sent out to those who signed up on the social media giant. This year’s early promotions of Black Friday, including early sales, prompted many new Black Friday shoppers this year, who were lured out to the malls for the first time to join the crush.

While the shopping was heavy, many Black Friday veterans were foregoing the video games, toys and electronics of years gone by and sticking more to the basics, like clothing, sports gear and watches. The tighter economy has caused many shoppers to spend their holiday dollars on practical gifts rather than just fun and games.

Did the Economy Sound the Death Toll for Black Friday? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

How To Know What’s Up (and Down)

The stores will release their Black Friday circulars highlighting the advertised deals in advance of the day following Thanksgiving. Consumers are encouraged to really look at the ‘deals’ being offered in this advertisement. Notice on the fine print of some items, there is a notice that outlines limitations on the sale. For instance, the circular will say “Limit 2 per store”, “No Rain Checks”, or “While Supplies Last”.

Additionally, this year’s advertisements have also small-print warnings that let consumers know that some products are only being sold in small quantities in the store. Topping the list on the ‘limited quantities in store’ products are big-screen plasma televisions and washer-dryer combos.

Deals Not That Cool

Consumers who are not aware of these common practices need to wise up about the battles ahead, Many complain that advertised deals should be backed up with sufficient quantities of merchandise or at least the option for a rain check. It seems many shoppers feel that retailers are not working much at all to bring in customers or make them happy once they are in the store. Consumers and experts alike have a hard time believing that many of the major retailers only supply 4 or 5 televisions to each store during the most-hyped shopping day of the year but spare no expense when advertising full-page specials of the same product.

Sadly, it is the excitement of getting one of that limited supply that keep consumers coming out each year. It is the same situation that caused the death of a shopper during last year’s Black Friday rush when a crowd essentially stampeded them to death, trying to get their hands on a ‘limited supply’ item.

Be Skeptical of Promises

If you are planning to brave the holiday shopping madness in-store or online on Black Friday, remember to be skeptical about deals before you get excited. Double check the small print and look for the ‘limited quantities’ disclaimer. Do not rely on rain checks to be honored if they are even offered. Even online orders can be canceled weeks after the purchase was made if the company cites the product is out of stock.

Black Friday Deals More Limited than We Think was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Results of the survey indicate the following:

• Of the 134 million consumers who indicated they might venture out this weekend, 57 million have definite plans to shop while 77 million will wait to see what deals are offered before they decide.

• Roughly 66% of consumers plan to shop at discount stores with 62.4% saying they will spend money at department stores.

• Twenty-seven percent of consumers plan to shop online this weekend.

• Over 25% of shoppers intend to hit the stores in the early morning hours to take advantage of early-bird specials with 10% willing to shop between 12am-3am Friday.

The results of this survey and others indicate that consumers are feeling slightly more confident this holiday season versus the past two years. Although consumer confidence is up, retailers are still concerned that a successful holiday season might not be enough to make up for poor sales in recent months. Many consumers have cut back on spending as a result of the recession. Unemployment, the continued rise of living expenses and the lack of available credit have impacted how and where people are spending their money.

It would appear that consumers are willing to spend more money this year, however there are no signs of the excessive consumerism we have seen in the past few decades. If you are heading out this weekend, you can expect plenty of company and packed stores, nevertheless you will not see the same number of people as you did in the late 90′s through 2005.

Consumers are reminded that many manufacturers have reduced production this year, therefore if you see a great deal, you might do well to purchase it rather than waiting to see if you get a better deal later in the season. This year it is more likely that early shoppers will have the best choice of inventory and discounts versus those who wait until the last minute to purchase gifts.

Millions Gear Up For Holiday Shopping was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Due to the increase in the number of online shoppers who are likely to use credit cards on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are some tips for using your credit cards wisely as recommended by BillShrink.com, the free online service that saves people money on everyday bills, has compiled recommendations on the best credit cards for different types of holiday shoppers, coupled with tips on how to how to avoid getting hurt by issuers’ sneaky fine print.

Skip the Retailer’s Credit Card Offers

The holiday season prompts retailers to increase marketing efforts for their store credit cards. If you’re shopping in person, don’t be surprised if at every check out you’re asked if you’d like to pay for your purchases with a new credit card. Most will have a 0% promotional offer, or will save you 20% off that day’s purchase – but don’t be tempted! A single late payment on this card can cause that 0% interest rate to jump over 20%; and the 20% you might save from today’s purchase will not make up for the amount you’ll pay in interest and fees over time if you don’t pay the balance off in full.

Take Advantage of your Credit Card Return Policy

If you’re a savvy shopper getting your holiday shopping done early, you may find that by the time your gift exchange happens you’re already beyond the retailers 14-30 day return period. If your credit card offers return protection, your card issuer will take back most items the store won’t accept, up to 90 days after the purchase date.

Pretend Your Credit Card is a Debit Card

While many people rely on credit cards when they don’t have the cash to shop – ideally you should make sure you have enough money in the bank to cover everything you pay for with your credit card. Keep track of spending just like you would your debit card, and you’ll know exactly how much your holiday shopping is costing you and whether you have enough money to afford what you’re buying.

Try a Moneris POS system for your business.

Tips for Using Your Credit Cards Wisely for Black Friday and Cyber Monday was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Games are a favorite evening or rainy day past time and are easy to pack resulting in together time and fun for kids and adults alike.

Pictionary Man^TMis the perfect gift for families, offering a contemporary twist on two old favorites – Pictionary and Charades. The new Pictionary Man  is a 3D-figure complete with accessories that are all made of “dry-erase” material, eliminating the need for paper, which is perfect for traveling. The figure digitally displays game clues on the bottom of his foot as players are challenged to bring the clue to life by drawing on “the Man” and his accessories as well as acting out the phrase so team members can guess the right answer! This is truly a great update on a known game and its use of “the Man” makes it the perfect size for traveling. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 14+

UNO Flash^TM is a new electronic version of a classic game to pack on vacations. The element of speed is added now with a built-in timer and resulting in a new level of excitement for this classic game. Either the new UNO Flash or the classic card game provide some great one on one time together adding additional fun along the way. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 7+

Apples-to-Apples® game is the wild, award-winning party game of hilarious comparisons and is a great choice for group play on vacation. Using the cards to “compare apples to apples,” each round of the game is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons. This interactive game is easy to learn and fast-paced and is perfect to take along where lots of family members will be together. Retail Price: $24.99  Age: 12+  

Scene It?® Disney Channel Edition is the ultimate gift for any tween girl hooked on the Disney Channel shows. Just like its adult versions, this Scene It game is interactive, entertaining and fun for all. This is one game where the kids might overtake the grown ups! This trivia game features Disney Channel shows, including “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody,” “Hannah Montana,” “High School Musical” and many more! When traveling, another option is to take along the DVD and not the board game for a trivia game version with less pieces, but the entire game is easy to pack along. Retail Price: $34.99  Age: 8+ 

The High School Musical 3 DVD Game combines trivia, video clips, outtakes, songs and dances from all three of these popular movies. Players are sure to become Wildcats as they compete in different categories and test their knowledge of each of the High School Musical movies! For those traveling to Walt Disney World over the holidays, this game will keep the HSM parade at Hollywood Studios alive after your trip ends! Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 8+  Available: Fall 2008

Hannah Montana 2 DVD Game features Hannah Montana during her second year of high school with this performance-based DVD game. The new DVD game features real clips, trivia, songs and dance moves from the second season of the hit Disney Channel show. Even moms and dads might show off their Hannah Montana alter egos in this interactive game. Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 6+

The DVD based games are great for car travels too as they can be played in the back seat helping the hours pass during holiday travels resulting in less “are we there yet” questions. When packing up the car and suitcase on the way to grandma’s house, be sure to select a game or two to help provide some interactive family fun together this holiday season.

What is your favorite game to take along on car trips or vacations?

Photo Credits: Mattel.com

Black Friday Shopping: Games Make Great Travel Take-Alongs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

It is almost hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost upon us and Christmas is right around the corner. While both holidays bring immediate images of families and friends gathering together to celebrate, they can also bring serious concerns about finances, especially when it comes to holiday shopping bills.

Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving where department stores and malls open at ungodly early hours of the morning, promising bargains galore and chaos in the aisles. Some people thrive on the annual tradition and can not wait to hit the stores before the sun comes up.  Because the stores are so busy on Black Friday and shoppers are frantic to find and take home all of the deals they can, there can be a strong tendency to overspend and not pay any attention to the amount of money being put out. The best way to deal with the craziness of a Black Friday shopping spree is to be prepared.

Here are some tips for preparing for the Black Friday rush:

Create a Shopping List

While there may be some instances where a deal comes along that is too good to pass up, it is important you start with a good idea of what you need to buy and how much you need to spend for the holidays on each person. You shouldn’t hit the mall without first understanding your spending limits. With all of the craziness of the Black Friday shopping festivities, it can be entirely too easy to pick up impulse buys at every turn.

Seek Out the Bargains Ahead of Time

Most of the ads will be available on Thanksgiving Day. However, many stores will start advertising the upcoming Black Friday specials prior to the holiday. You can also browse online at sites like Black Friday that gives a sneak peek at the special sales. Take notes as to what places you need to shop and what items you are looking for in each store.

Price Check

Just because there is a good price in one store, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better price in another. Check around for the best prices and don’t forget to find out which stores are offering the best deals and during what time period.

Bring Your Sales Fliers

Some stores will accept competitor’s pricing for the same merchandise. It may be worth it to toss your sales circulars into your purse in case you find something you need at one store and find that another store has better pricing. It can save you a ton of travel and shopping time.

Shop Online

Beat the crowds completely and don’t leave your home. Online shopping websites will also offer Black Friday deals, much like their chain store counterparts. The good news is there are no battles in the aisles over merchandise, no long lines to stand in. and you are more likely to buy only what it is you are looking to buy for the holidays.

Tips for Holiday Shopping on Black Friday was created by and is property of American Consumer News.