Business - Business News

POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

Will the shoppers show up? Bellingham retailers hope for busy Black Friday

BELLINGHAM - If you want to get a gauge from consumers about what's happening in the local economy, it may come on Friday, Nov. 28.

This is the time of year when retailers are frantically preparing for the day-after Thanksgiving shopping event, commonly known as Black Friday for its ability to help stores turn a profit for the year. With all of the economic turmoil in recent months, however, retailers have to be concerned about the mindset of this year's shoppers: Will people be spending money?

Since October, U.S. consumers have been holding on to their money. National retailers have been hit particularly hard, with sales down across the board. Many are responding by aggressively slashing prices, trying to lure shoppers back. Many of those ads will be appearing in Thursday's newspaper, but leaked releases about sales are showing deep discounts, with items from flat-screen televisions to sweaters at all-time lows.

Retailers should be able to count on the hundreds of shoppers willing to drag themselves out of bed in the middle of the night, throw on coats and stand in line for the 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Black Friday openings. While it's dark, bitter cold and usually raining or sleeting, shoppers are generally in high spirits, many times huddling with other friends and family members, swapping stories and sipping coffee.

"It's so exciting. Even though I have to get up so early, all the shoppers are in such a good mood," said Caitlin Finnegan, a sales manager at Joe's Sports and Outdoor who is participating in her third Black Friday opening. Finnegan will have to get up even earlier this year: Joe's is planning a 5 a.m. opening for the first time, providing a coffee cart and handing out gift cards to the first 200 shoppers.

One of the earliest-opening stores, JC Penney, is planning for a big turnout, said store manager Anne Marie Vinson. When the doors open at 4 a.m., they'll be passing out Mickey Mouse snow globes and offering a variety of discounts, including 60 percent off some apparel. The store is even offering wake-up calls for shoppers through www.jcp.com.

"If you work in the retail business, this is the time to get excited; all the planning that goes into this is fun for me," Vinson said.

Many retailers are preparing with job hires for some seasonal work. According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, 10,700 people were employed in the retail sector in Whatcom County in October; that's up 100 people compared to the same time last year.

However, local job agencies have been reporting fewer seasonal job openings this year, and nationally hiring for the holidays appears to be down. Last year, WorkSource Whatcom worked with 10 companies to help find seasonal workers. This year, only two companies requested help.

There is hope among retailers that consumers who have been holding back on spending have been waiting for the sales. Judi Swift, community relations coordinator for Fred Meyer, said they are anticipating Black Friday to be a good one because many of their sales are focused on the basics. Along with the traditional half-price sock sale, there are deep discounts on towels and apparel. She also expects TVs and electronic games to be popular this year, and the hot toy to be Furreal, a 3-foot tall stuffed pony.

"With the economy the way it is, the basic products along with the toys should be the common theme," Swift said, noting that the basics were also popular during the back-to-school season.

One Bellingham store that tends to have the longest lines at the Black Friday opening is Best Buy, and store manager Dave Lackey is expecting it again this year. He's been hearing studies that say fewer people have started their Christmas shopping, and he's noticed it in his store leading up to Black Friday.

"There are a lot of people price-shopping right now, looking for the best value," said Lackey. "We've been impacted by the economy and the drop in the Canadian dollar, but there has definitely been more activity in recent weeks."

Fewer Canadian shoppers are expected in Whatcom County stores during the holiday shopping season because they have less purchasing power. Last week the Canadian dollar was around 77 cents compared to the U.S. dollar; a year ago it was above $1 U.S.

Downtown Bellingham merchants aren't leaving the shopping festivities to the big-box stores. They are organizing some Black Friday events, including Shop Where Your Heart Is, where customers can pick up a passport and get it stamped from participating stores to be entered in a raffle for prizes. There will also be live music and refreshments during the day.

A few businesses are already seeing strong retail sales heading into Black Friday. Vicki Adelstein, manager at Yeager's Toyland inside Yeager's Sporting Goods, said they've seen an increase in sales after revamping the toy department earlier this year. The store is planning on an 8 a.m. opening, with the Boy Scouts doing the gift wrapping and Java Town serving up espressos.

"We let the shoppers do their early shopping at those other stores before swinging by here," Adelstein said.

She's expecting Black Friday to be busy in the toy department despite the economic woes.

"No matter what's happening with the economy, one thing that makes people feel good is seeing the smile on a child's face when they get a toy," Adelstein said. "I can't wait myself. Being in the toy department is a nice distraction from all the other things that are going on."