US retailers hope for Black Friday bonanza

On Black Friday in America, there are the usual scenes of shoppers going mad to get Christmas bargains before they run out. Until Sunday night, it will be consumer frenzy all weekend. Who cares if Saturday is Global Buy Nothing Day? Not these Chicagoans, that is for sure.

Top of everyone’s wish list are big screen high-tech televisions, digital cameras, video games, and toys for the young and not so young.

Today is dubbed Black Friday because it is normally the moment in the year when retailers move into the black and start making money.

“It is busy and exciting that people are out early shopping and hopefully going home and enjoying their holiday,” said one woman.

“As you can see, I wasn’t ready for shopping but we’re doing it so it’s being done. It’s a great thing that the stores are open,” a male shopper added.

“I’m shopping on Thanksgiving with my family here. Just getting started on a couple of Christmas gifts and just getting some stuff for Christmas dinner. So stores are packed but, you know, we’re trying to get it done early,” said a woman as she snapped up bargains.

The bonanza comes at just the right time to restore the economy. Consumer spending has picked up in recent months, and Christmas will boost the figures a little more to round off a better year, even if no-one is expecting records to be set.

Copyright © 2012 euronews