Black Friday should be typical one

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Thursday, November 27, 2008 (1 month, 1 week ago)
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DELPHOS — Despite reports of consumers spending less money since “bailout” became a household word, one leading local retailer says sales have steadily increased over the last two weeks. This year’s Black Friday is expected to be as busy as it is in most years, but the economy is likely to impact the season as Christmas nears.
Alco Store Manager Wil Baughn says Black Friday usually starts with an early rush, then remains steady and picks up again in the evening after the traditional dinner hour. He anticipates the same on Friday but says retail companies are being more conservative when ordering products in case nationwide sales fizzle after next week.
“Black Friday usually sets the bar and tells us how the rest of the season will go but the retail industry is playing it closer to the vest this year. In the past, they may have ordered anything they saw but they’re being more discriminating this year. They’re looking for the best deals and aren’t just buying anything manufacturers throw out there. Suppliers use to stock things to the ceiling but they aren’t doing that as much this year. Stores used to be able to buy stuff way in to December but this year, the closer we get to Christmas, some things may not be available,” he said.
Vaughn says companies do not want to get stuck with high inventory. Therefore, he advises consumers not to assume they can put off purchases of special items.
“We are on an automatic replenishment system. The cash register tracks how many snow shovels I sell and orders more. Some things are always going to be replenished, like duct tape, but Hannah Montana products, at some point, are not going to be replenished,” he said.
Other local businesses see a steady flow of foot traffic but not shoulder-to-shoulder “door-busting” business on Black Friday. Judy Williams at the Delphos Radio Shack store says she sees a steady flow of customers but nothing like department stores in the region.
Though Vaughn expects to be busy Friday, he acknowledges the likely impact of the economy on the latter portion of the season.
“We don’t really know what’s going to happen. The company makes projections based on last year’s numbers and they hope to hit it. We’re in uncharted waters, though. We’ve not seen an economy like this, so we don’t know what shoppers will do,” he said.

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