The time-honored tradition of pre-dawn shopping on the day following Thanksgiving doesn't seem to have been lost in the country's economic slowdown.
Stores opened early today with some bargains sure to bring out the thriftiest among us. Retailers hope to lure in those shoppers who might be thinking it's the same old deals.
Consumers seem to be the missing link on recovery reports. Housing has picked up, manufacturers are beginning to return inventory to shelves and the stock market is holding strong. But until the jobs report looks brighter, consumer confidence may stay low.
The nation's 10 percent plus unemployment rate is higher than Oklahoma's rate. A report out last week said many of the jobs being created are temporary ones.
Black Friday, aptly named because the sales report often determines if the retailer's year will be profitable or "in the black," has all the build-up of a Super Bowl Sunday. Some stores are even opening Thursday evening.
We hope the idea of shopping on Thanksgiving Day doesn't take hold. Thanksgiving Day should be reserved for football, followed by guilt-free naps.
