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Black Friday is Here

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Waiting in line after just a few hours of sleep with coffee in hand, it’s black Friday yet again. Over the years shoppers have spent more and more money on the dubbed black Friday date. Last year, $11.4 billion dollars were spent on black Friday according the Associated Press. The great deals found at local stores make it easier for shoppers to buy more items for the holiday season.

In these hard economic times, shoppers are finding it easier to get more and spend less.  “You absolutely get more for less, by shopping on black Friday we save about $500,” shopper Tamra Francomano said. “A few years ago we bought an outdoor patio heater and saved over $200 on it.”

Stores are even making it easier on shoppers. This year Wal-Mart will be opening its doors at 8pm Thursday to try and help shoppers with the chaos of the event. Some items, like televisions, will wait to go on sale until 10pm,  so that  shoppers can line up to get the item, instead of a stampede of shoppers fighting over them.

Security has also heightened over the years. In 2008, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled and killed after she was caught in a frantic rush of shoppers.  Most stores are trying to eliminate the possibility of these happenings by increasing posted security guards, and asking shoppers to wait in lines for popular items. But, shoppers should still be careful due to the influx of people and traffic.

Some shoppers don’t just go out for the great deals. “We enjoy going out there and getting good deals but it’s also a time when we can just have fun and get out with the girls,” Francomano said. But Black Friday is not just for the girls. Men can also find great deals on electronics and sporting equipment as more stores are participating in the event. Bass Pro shop plans to open its doors at 5am, and Dick’s Sporting Goods will open at 12am.

Luckily for shoppers, this year the weather is on their side. Thursday night looks to be in the 50’s and in the high 60’s Friday afternoon.