By Marian Accardi
Times Business Writer marian.accardi@htimes.com
Stores face challenges with slow economy, football rivalry
Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year - rolls around as the county's jobless rate remains at 7.5 percent and the average price of a gallon of gas in Huntsville is about a dime higher than a month ago.
Merchants have yet another challenge this year - the Iron Bowl football game starts at 1:30 p.m. on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, cutting into prime shopping time.
Retailers are fighting back with expanded hours, deals on popular merchandise and rewards for early-bird shoppers.
"We'll have more than 200 door-busters across the store - in accessories, apparel, shoes and in the home store," said Janet Brown, the manager of Belk's Parkway Place store. "We have lots of great items specially priced for that morning." The first 250 shoppers will also get gift cards in amounts from $5 to $1,000.
Belk stores open at 4 a.m. on Friday, an hour earlier than in previous years.
"This gives shoppers an extra hour to shop before the big game," said Brown. The Iron Bowl schedule, she said, did play a role in the retailer's decision to open earlier. "They realize what an important game this is, particularly in Alabama."
German Pardo, a manager at the Target store at Valley Bend at Jones Farm shopping center, promises very competitive discounts. And Target stores are opening Friday at 5 a.m., an hour earlier than in past years, and staying open until 11 p.m.
Even though the Iron Bowl falls on Friday afternoon, Pardo still expects a good turnout.
"I think it'll be a huge day for us," he said
This article is from www.al.com
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year - rolls around
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