Holiday shoppers in a buying mood as economy rebounds
TACOMA, Wash. - After the early morning madness settled down, the second wave of bargain hunters moved in on Black Friday. And the mood among shoppers and retailers is that the economy has turned around.
All that is good news for merchants. They're looking for a rebound from the recession, and customers are in a buying mood. Retailers are seeing a lot of green.
"Business is fantastic, actually. We're really business this year," says Josh Bogi, assistant manager of the Zumiez outlet at Tacoma Mall.
The economic cloud that's been hanging over families the past several years is lifting.
"I think people are getting a little more hopeful, definitely," says shopper Aleah Steiner.
She and her children came to Tacoma Mall to see Santa - and get in their Christmas shopping - joining a throng of folks out for Black Friday bargains, including some folks who don't normally venture out on this busy shopping day.
Angela Borrowman is one of those who normally don't hit the malls so soon after Thanksgiving.
"Not normally no. But the Apple Store was having some sales, and they don't normally 'sale' their product,'" she says.
Some retailers nationwide expressed concern that some folks wouldn't spend freely because of economic uncertainty and worries about high unemployment.
Other merchants fret that Congress won't be able to reach a budget deal by January - before a package of spending cuts and tax increases known as the "fiscal cliff" takes effect.
But at the Tacoma Mall - the general feeling is consumer confidence is "up.'
"Looking at the parking lot I'd say yes, it's packed," says shopper Bob Riley. "You come in here and every store has people in it. And everybody is carrying packages."
Bob and Ann Riley also feel good about the ecomony. They're buying each other a remote-controlled helicopter - his and hers.
"I feel the same," says Ann Riley. "I was here the day before Thanksgiving and picking up something. And there were people buying, so I think that the economy is coming up and people feel more confident to spend."
All that is good news for merchants. They're looking for a rebound from the recession, and customers are in a buying mood. Retailers are seeing a lot of green.
"Business is fantastic, actually. We're really business this year," says Josh Bogi, assistant manager of the Zumiez outlet at Tacoma Mall.
The economic cloud that's been hanging over families the past several years is lifting.
"I think people are getting a little more hopeful, definitely," says shopper Aleah Steiner.
She and her children came to Tacoma Mall to see Santa - and get in their Christmas shopping - joining a throng of folks out for Black Friday bargains, including some folks who don't normally venture out on this busy shopping day.
Angela Borrowman is one of those who normally don't hit the malls so soon after Thanksgiving.
"Not normally no. But the Apple Store was having some sales, and they don't normally 'sale' their product,'" she says.
Some retailers nationwide expressed concern that some folks wouldn't spend freely because of economic uncertainty and worries about high unemployment.
Other merchants fret that Congress won't be able to reach a budget deal by January - before a package of spending cuts and tax increases known as the "fiscal cliff" takes effect.
But at the Tacoma Mall - the general feeling is consumer confidence is "up.'
"Looking at the parking lot I'd say yes, it's packed," says shopper Bob Riley. "You come in here and every store has people in it. And everybody is carrying packages."
Bob and Ann Riley also feel good about the ecomony. They're buying each other a remote-controlled helicopter - his and hers.
"I feel the same," says Ann Riley. "I was here the day before Thanksgiving and picking up something. And there were people buying, so I think that the economy is coming up and people feel more confident to spend."
Are they actually using the "green stuff" and not the "plastic stuff"? My thought would be if they can discount this stuff so much once a year and make money, why do we have to pay so much for it the rest of the year.
The photo show hispanics mostly in the buying mode as they are corrupted by new American values. Â There are so many unchecked immigrants coming into this country, you can see what's this is all about. Â Traditional families are interested in doing family things not shopping on Thanksgiving or even not so much the day after Thanksgiving.
After all, Â they have their welfare checks and you know, Â many live in the same house and apartment. Â But as they used to say on the networks in paid public service commercials.: Â "Like Father, Like son". Â No it's not necessarily about drugs like it was in the 60's. Â It's about gaining material wealth, Â just to have things. Â Not all of them are important as values are being corrupted everywhere.Â
@HullenbeckCowl People, as you read this post please remember... don't feed the troll.
 @justmyopinion  @HullenbeckCowl it's just hard to see that much racism and stupidity in one post and not respond
I don't believe this means the economy is better. People are more conscious than ever of saving money and sales, so of course the day of the biggest sales is going to draw out people who have been waiting to buy what they need.Â
What a stupid article
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It's as important and meaningful as telling us all the other obligatory things that happen every year - the running of the bulls in Spain, the first snow of the season, first baby of the New Year, gas prices going up in the summer, blah-blah-blah.....
They say the same crap every year after the first couple days. Only to be outdone by a somber "didn't turn out quite as well as expected" when the reports come out in January....
Next.
Do the people posting these news stories ever consult with eachother? I mean the frontpage stories on this site have many conflicting perspectives. Like Walmart Employees on strike over Black Friday?? Mom speechless over grocery store workers Generosity? People are broke, unemployed, and homeless , so when did the economy turn around Nov 7th??
"Holiday shoppers in a buying mood as economy rebounds"
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Keith Eldridge, tell that to the 285,000 folks that don't have a job.
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http://www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/washington/
 This is great news, can we end the food stamps now?
How does a mob of people screaming and pushing and fighting over items in a store constitute shopping?
 @missyk That's why I celebrate Festivus, I even raised my aluminum pole in our living room
If these people were paying with cash I might believe the crap about the economy turning around. Ha ha!
The economy isn't "rebounding," people are merely consoling themselves by buying some cheap chinese junk to play with.
Won't catch me out there!
Must be a good sign, but still waiting for my Obama good time check to join in on the fun....
Must be Obama's fault.
 @Hopp Why yes, it is. :) The welfare crowd and the illegals are confident that they can spend their money again. That conservative idiot could have screwed that up, but it's GAME ON:)
 @Hopp Oh....and no worries, the GRANDKIDS can pay for this cheap Chinese cr@p when we're dead. SPEND IT!!!!!!