Shoppers rush to stores

Nov 28, 2008 (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KSS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Shoppers flocked to area stores before dawn this morning, hoping to get a chance at bargains advertised for the first official Christmas shopping day this year.

1:40 p.m., Kohl's, Fairview Heights: Recent grad bucks spending trend

Tim Pool, 22, of O'Fallon, Ill. said he will actually spend more on Christmas this year than last. "Last year I was just about broke," he said.

Why? He was still a college student. Now, with his geology degree in hand, he's working for a drilling company in Fenton on a contract with the Corps of Engineers.

1:20 p.m. St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights: Couple cuts spending in half

Troy and Molly Weigand of Collinsville said they were cutting their Christmas spending in half. Normally they would spend $2,000 for five people; they said this year, it would be $1,000.

Their cutbacks, they said, are based less on their investments shrinking and more on their perception that prices are higher this year.

Molly Weigand said her daughter, 17, who goes to high school in Alaska, can't return to Illinois for Christmas because airfare would be $1,700.

"That would blow Christmas for everybody," she said.

1:15 p.m., Sam's Club, Chesterfield: One shopper who says she's being more conservative

WWhen Matt Caputo arrived at work at 4 a.m., he saw a long line of people -- many of them waiting to grab a Wii console.

"After the first hour, it started to taper off and turn into just a normal Friday," said Caputo.

By 1:15 p.,m, there were virtually no lines at the registers. The traffic was about what Caputo expected, given the economy.

Betty Dysart, a schoolteacher from Union, Mo., looked through sweatshirts for her three grandchildren. She said she was beign more conservaitve this year than in the past with her spending.

"I don't make a lot of money and I'm not using my charge card as much," Dysart said.

12:45 p.m., Sam's Club, Crestwood: Sales up from a year ago

By noon, the Sam's Club in Crestwood recorded a 5 percent to 8 percent increase from the same Black Friday hours a year ago, said Brad Allen, the general manager. "I don't think we're necessarily surprised," Allen said.

Within 10 minutes this morning, the 75 Wii fit sets they had stocked sold out, he said. Big-screen TVs and digital cameras also sold well, said Allen.

11:15 a.m., St. Louis Galleria, Richmond Heights: Conservative consumers

Shoppers visiting stores at the Galleria this morning said they have to really cut back this year. Shoppers like Linda Herr, 37, of St. Louis.

Herr said that she was laid off in August from an accounting firm. She later got a job at an affordable housing developer, but said that she had to take a pay cut. So, on Friday, Herr was looking for bargains and would only be buying gifts for her son, Joe, 3, this Christmas.

"I'm having to look at what my spending is going to be," Herr said.

She was shopping with family, some of whom had come from out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Larry Eckhardt, 64, of Vandalia, Ill., where he is a rural mail carrier, said that usually he buys for every member of his family. But, because of tough economic times, he would be spending about half what he usually does. He said that this is the first year that his family has decided to draw names so each of them had only one present to buy. He was shopping with his brother, Dick, 62, whose birthday was today. They always celebrate Dick's birthday together, he said, and this one happened to fall on Black Friday. They were there with their wives, both named Janet.

Eckhardt said that he hopes that those family members who won't get any gifts from him won't get they're feelings hurt.

"We are a tight family and we are always buying for everyone," Eckhardt said. "That is no longer the case."

10:30 a.m., Best Buy, Crestwood: No good deal means no purchase

Roy Luber, 58, of Kirkwood, examined 52-inch plasma TVs at the Crestwood Best Buy hoping to find a deal. He said he expected a good deal on Black Friday "but the reality is we found that (prices are) higher."

There was about a $100 difference between the online price Luber found two weeks ago and the $1,399 sticker price he saw today. Best Buy wouldn't match the price, he said, so he'll wait.

"When you reach my age, you don't quite worry about something under the tree," Luber, a technical specialist, said.

Minutes earlier, May Fernandez found a gift for her husband, Coy, a GPS set for $280. The couple and their 3-year-old son Joshua already had been to four different Target stores and three Wal-Marts in search of a GPS package. They chose the Best Buy set, which will go in his 2002 Honda Civic.

Carly Haas, the operations manager at the Crestwood Best Buy, said her crew planned "really well" this year to have items in stock and make sure customers got the deals. "We understand the economy so we're trying to do the best we can to give customers value," she said.

10 a.m., Costco, St. Peters: Shoppers study prices before buying

Several shoppers inside were studying electronic items while on their cell phones consulting with prices with friends or family. Mike and Cherry Bailey were taking advantage of their time away from home in Cassville, Mo. to stock up on Christmas gifts at Costco.

"We have three grandkids now so Christmas is getting back to being about kids again," said Mike Bailey, 51, a plant manager. A large stuffed pony sat nearby in one of their carts.

They were shopping for toys at Costco but were also going to check out the electronics aisle for themselves.

"There are so few weekends in between now and Christmas, so we want to get it done," said Cherry Bailey, 52, a finance officer. "We budgeted for Christmas, so we're really not cutting back this year."

9 a.m., Macy's, downtown St. Louis: Not too crowded

The Macy's store in downtown, known for its sparse shoppers, had quite a few on Friday morning. The store manager said they were open at 5 a.m., but she said she did not expect a crowd until 11 a.m.

Sisters Janet Knotts, 54, of Alexandria, Va., and Jennifer O'Neill, 51, of Phoenix, were in town to see relatives for Thanksgiving. They went to the Macy's store this morning and both said they were very carefully watching their holiday spending.

"We are looking for deals," Knotts said. "I've got coupons in my purse."

Her sister, O'Neill, said: "I'm not even going to the non-sale racks."

8:30 a.m., West County shopping center, Des Peres: No more shoppers than a weekend

Shoppers flocked to the West County shopping center but no more than an average weekend crowd.

JoJuan Rice said she got to the mall at 6 a.m. as her first time to shop on Black Friday. She said she expected a bigger crowd and wondered if it was worth waking up at 4:30 a.m.

"I think you could still do pretty good tomorrow," Rice said, adding that she believed it was the bad economy that led to the smaller crowds.

"You can kind of tell that people are holding back," Rice said.

8:10 a.m., Mid Rivers Mall and Best Buy, St. Peters: To buy or not to buy

Drivers were circling the lot at Best Buy to look for open spaces, with some parking nearby at Mid Rivers Mall. Although the store was bustling with many shopping for TVs and the Guitar Hero video game, lines were about five people deep at several registers.

Some shoppers said picking a new television was more difficult this year with the looming economic problems and uncertainty about gas prices that could go up again.

"Do I forfeit quality of product for a cheaper price?" said Jason Nickell, 26, a Mizzou student who had been on active duty with the National Guard. He debated between a 32 inch or 42-inch TV before picking the smaller screen from the Dynex brand.

Next door at the Mid Rivers mall, was flowing, and the Dillard's lot seemed to have the most available parking spaces. Other lots outside Sears and JCPenney were full.

Inside Mid Rivers Mall, most food court restaurants were open early and shoppers who had been up since dawn were ready to eat.

Michele Haler, 39, a technical writer from O'Fallon, Mo. and her 12-year-old daughter Abby were taking a break with some sub sandwiches. Abby's first choice -- Panda Express -- wasn't open yet.

"We're having lunch at 8 a.m.," Michele Haler said smiling. They had been up since 3:30 a.m. getting deals on Christmas presents.

7:30 a.m., Target store, Kirkwood: Same story as last year

Foot traffic was about the same as last year at the Target store in Kirkwood, said Amanda Wibbenmeyer, the store's team leader. When she arrived at 4 a.m., a small line had already formed outside the store, she said.

By the time the doors opened at 6 a.m., the line wrapped around the corner of the shopping center.

"Especially today, it is very similar to last year, which is very exciting to me," Wibbenmeyer said.

Looking at portable DVD players at Target, Wendy Kriete, 35, said she is buying fewer small gifts, but plans to spend the same amount as last year. The Washington, Mo., nurse said she spent about $1,000 last holiday season.

Shannan Griesman, 36, of Glendale, came to Target shortly after 7 a.m. in search of a Lego set for half the price for her 7-year-old son. But Griesman, a preschool teacher, said she got to the store too late. She could not find the set on the shelves.

7:20 a.m. Kohl's and Best Buy stores, Bridgeton: Parking lots full

Inside the Kohl's and Best Buy stores in Bridgeton, jovial shoppers waited patiently to find a spot to park outside the stores. Once inside, they found long lines to check out their purchases. A lot of shoppers said they were just browsing to search for the best deals.

7 a.m. South County Mall, south St. Louis County: Free items lure shoppers

From the parade of shopping bags, it seems that big department stores -- JCPenney, Macy's and Sears -- are doing more brisk business than smaller shops. But that's a completely superficial look.

Among the smaller stores crammed with people are Victoria Secret, which is offering a variety of free items with purchase and teen-centric Aeropostale.

At 7 a.m. when the majority of shops were opening, dozens of people were heading out to there cars to unload.

Kristin Pendleton of South City was loading two big bags of clothes from JCPenney, which opened at 4 a.m. today, into the back of a small SUV. She said that she arrived at 6 a.m. to shop.

But she said most of the clothes she bought were for herself. She was heading back in for round two to shop for others.

Pendleton said that she's only shopping for kids in her family. The adults have decided to leave themselves out this year. She said that she won't even be exchanging gifts with her husband. Instead they will concentrate on there 21-month old son, Jack.

"Yeah, and then he'll end up playing with an empty box, I know," Pendleton said. "But at this point it's more about us giving him gifts than him getting gifts."

Others said the same. They are forgoing adult gifts to concentrate on gifts for the kids. Oddly, enough, some doubted that the kids would appreciate the gifts.

"My kids want cash, they said they don't want gifts," said Jennifer Brye of Jefferson City. She is the mother of four -- ages 4, 8, 9 and 12 -- and bought them a Wii as their "big gift."

For Brye the holiday is even more of a crunch since her husband owns a mortgage company.

"We are really hoping for a rebound...praying for it," Brye said. She and a friend had. Few bags of gifts and were headed to a women's shop to buy for themselves.

6:30 a.m. Bass Pro Shops, St. Charles: Treats greet early shoppers

Live music, campfires, cookies and coffee hooked Bass Pro shoppers this morning, including a few dozen who waited all night for the doors to open at 6 a.m. About an hour before the doors open for Black Friday sales, the line grew to about 1,000 shoppers. It took about 15 minutes to get into the store from the end of the line.

Adam Roth, 19, a student from St. Charles and a group five other friends were the first in line, arriving at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Dressed in Carhartt jackets and camouflage hats, they stayed up all night to get deals on fleeces, spotlights, jeans or "anything we can find that's cheap," they said.

The Great Turkey Campout hosted by Bass Pro was a festive environment where shoppers who share a love of the outdoors swapped stories and were in good spirits this morning, despite spending the night outside waiting.

Among those who met Roth and his friends in line this morning were Tom Sweet, 67, of Carlinville, Ill. And Jeff Anderson, 42, a carpenter from Imperial, Mo.

"These guys made it fun. We sat and chitty chat for most of the night. We're all hunters, fishermen, so you've got a lot to talk about," Anderson said.

But many shoppers said the savings offered on many products like an electric smoker and GPS device were more important now than years past.

Sweet, who is retired, said he was saving about $180 by getting a Black Friday deal on the GPS.

"That's important in this economy," he said. "I think whether you are retired or not, people are trying to cut back. They're looking for savings."

Armed with a Bass Pro ad, Anderson said he was picking up "whatever his wife told him to." She had circled in pink marker a metal detector, hoodies, a dog bed and other items on sale.

Bass Pro Shops also had tents set up for shoppers to sleep in throughout the night.

Dianna Rutledge, 39, of Troy, Mo. was wrapped in two blankets and seated in a camping chair about 45 minutes before the doors opened. She came to Bass Pro because she says she can usually find something for everyone inside. Camping outside with her husband and son at Bass Pro was fun compared to some of the ugly scenes she's seen at other stores throughout the years.

"We're Christian people so we don't believe in fighting to get items, and this has been really nice. Everyone's great," she said. Because of the poor economy this year, the family is budgeting more and planning to only get the items inside they've picked out beforehand from the ad.

Sisters-in-law Dawn Gregory, Krystal Copling and Chrissi Blake have been getting to Bass Pro Shops before the doors open on Black Friday for several years. The savings on gifts for their husbands and brothers make the early morning and crowds worth it. One year Blake, 37, of Lake Saint Louis, remembers getting a fish fryer for about $10, normally priced at $50.

"Everyone is so friendly here. All of those years, I've never encountered a hateful person here. When people act like that, I'm like, 'You want that bad, take it,'" said Gregory, 33, a manufacturing worker from Rolla. No item is worth acting that crazy over, she said.

"Except for that fish fryer," Blake said laughing.

6 a.m., Sam's Club Store: Electronics big for shoppers

Shoppers poured into the Sam's Club store in Chesterfield just before 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Within minutes cashier lines were filled with carts full of large screen televisions and other electronics. Merchandise manager Stephanie Lee said it's the busiest Black Friday shopping day she's seen in years.

4:30 a.m., Wal-Mart, Ferguson:

At the Wal-Mart store in Ferguson at 4:30 a.m., the parking lot was packed. At least 1,400 shoppers were lined up and the line wrapped around the building. The very person who was in line said she got into the line at 10:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

The shopper, Marty Lewis, 40, of St. Louis, said she was in line with her mother, her husband, her nephew and her sister-in-law. They all wanted to go into different directions to find different bargains in the store. They were searching for digital cameras, coats, toys and anything that was a true bargain.

"The recession has got everybody broke," Lewis said. "My motivation for standing in this cold was for a good deal. None of the other stores can compete."

Lewis said the bad economy has forced her to cut back on her Christmas spending. She said she will be buying for one child and 13 nieces and nephews.

The Lewis family comforted themselves in folding chairs and covering themselves with blankets. But by the store opened at 5 a.m., the Lewis group had their chairs and blankets folded and were ready for some serious shopping.

"It's a mission," Lewis said.

Police were out in force, ready for any trouble among the shoppers with a K-9 unit. But, when the store opened the shoppers entered in an orderly fashion.

Jackie Hughes, 61, said she was going to the store because she had lost her house because her mortgage had gotten so high, but she was in line to shop at the Wal-Mart store.

"We have to cut down with food prices, we have to tighten our belts," Hughes said. "We can't buy as many clothes. I have to keep washing them. Now, it's just wash and press."

"It's just been tough on everybody," Hughes said.

A lot of the Wal-Mart shoppers were searching for flat-screened television. Many of the carts were filled with the TVs and lots of toys.

4:30 a.m., St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights: Lines of waiting shoppers loop around the stores

At St. Clair Square, the parking lot was near capacity at 4:30 a.m. And, in Fairview Heights, Kohl's and other retailers outside the mall had people lined up to shop.

4:15 a.m., Toys 'R Us, Ferguson: No parking spots by 5 a.m.

At Toys 'R Us in Ferguson at 4:15 a.m., long lines and a partially-filled parking lot greeted shoppers. But, by 5 a.m., there were no parking spots available. Big on the shoppers list: Hannah Montana toys and bikes. Anything that was a true bargain, the shoppers said.

Reporters Jessica Bock, Angela Tablac , Denise Hollinshed , Stephen Deere and Tim Bryant contributed to this report.

To see more of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stltoday.com. Copyright (c) 2008, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index