One day marks the beginning of the shopping season with early morning deals beginning as early as midnight. A lot of preparation, organization and communication goes into getting ready for the shopping extravaganza, according to various retailers in the area.
Most retailers say shoppers will not be shopping less, but shopping smarter, looking for better deals.
Extra stock needs to be ordered. The floor needs to be better organized to make room for more product and shoppers. Hours are extended.
Some places will have sales all day. However, many will need to rise before the sun comes up if they are going to get the early bird specials, which in today's economy, many retailers are counting on.
"We are preparing to open at 5 a.m. Refreshments will be made to our early morning shoppers. Some department stores will be opening at 4 a.m.," said Sharon Leonard, marketing director of the Lycoming Mall, earlier in the week.
Most shoppers prepare in the wee hours of the morning for Black Friday. However, Toys-R-Us opened at midnight, with doorbuster sales lasting until 1 p.m. or when supplies are exhausted.
Stores in or near the mall are not the only places that will be anticipating early morning shoppers. Olympia Sports on the Golden Strip also is opening at 5 a.m.
"The early birds run from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some sales will be running for three days, it depends on the item. There will be a percentage off of many items. Others will be buy one, get one for 99 cents," said Rachel Zarzyczny, store general manager.
Gustonian Gifts in center city will open at 8 a.m. with tiered discounts lasting throughout the day.
"From eight to 10 a.m., shoppers may take 30 percent off of everything, excluding Chamilia jewelry. From 10 a.m. to noon, the discount is 25 percent and from noon to 2 p.m., it's 20 percent. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the discount is 15 percent off. There will be a 10 percent discount from 4 p.m. until closing at 9 p.m.," said Denyse Miele, store co-owner.
Some key items they are stocking up on are Webkins, purses, Christmas items, German ornaments and collectibles.
Kmart opens at 6 a.m. on Friday with five-hour sales, lasting until 11 a.m.
"We will have buy one, get one free board games. Some toys will be 50 percent off. Video games will be as much $20 off. We anticipate having a line all the way around the building. This is done every year," said Josh Englert, store manager.
In line with the economy, retailers expect shoppers to be more savvy about how they are spending their dollars. Some people will probably be doing more crafts than buying whole gifts, according to mike Graves, store manager of Michael's Arts and Crafts.
Michael's will open at 5 a.m.
Most are savvy enough to know a good deal when they see one, said Betsy Rider, owner of Otto's Bookstore. Rider thinks the economy may boost business for her book store this holiday season.
"I am hoping that people who would like to give someone a swimming pool will buy them a book on swimming pools. Books are the poor man's extravagants. It will take you out of your regular zone and take you somewhere you have never been," Rider said.
There will be 20 percent off of all hardback best sellers at Otto's today.
One store manager is interested in seeing what the turnout will be, especially in the wake of many stores having pre-Thanksgiving sales.
"This year, we have noticed there are pre-black Friday sales. It will be interesting to see the turnout.
"It seems people are shopping earlier than last year. Weekends started getting busier earlier than in previous years," said Bill Reish, training operations supervisor at the Borders Bookstore in the mall.
