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Black Friday sales this year higher than 2008 figures

Matt Farmer, a Miamisburg resident, carries a home theatre system through the checkout line. Farmer is Black Friday shopping at the Best Buy store, located near the Dayton Mall.

Ron Alvey/Staff photographer Matt Farmer, a Miamisburg resident, carries a home theatre system through the checkout line. Farmer is Black Friday shopping at the Best Buy store, located near the Dayton Mall.

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By Jim DeBrosse, Staff Writer Updated 11:47 AM Monday, November 30, 2009

DAYTON — Shaun Hatchett was looking for that special gift for that special someone — but with a closer eye on the price tag this holiday season.

“They cut back on my hours at work,” the 41-year-old West Carrollton resident said Sunday, Nov. 29. Hatchett, who was out shopping for his girlfriend’s present at the Dayton Mall, said he would normally splurge without looking for a deal. “This year I’ll probably get her something at Old Navy. They have a three-day sale going on.”

U.S. retail sales on Black Friday and the Saturday after were up just a half percent over last year as discounts on electronics and toys drew bigger but more budget-conscious crowds to the stores, according to the National Retail Federation. While more people visited stores and Web sites, the average shopper spent $343.31, down from the $372.57 spent a year ago, the federation said.

Brenda Ronnenbaum, 31, of Huber Heights was one of those frugal shoppers taking advantage of the sales this year on higher-priced electronics. “We are actually planning to buy a Wii this year,” she said. “That’s not really something we would have expected to buy before the price drop.”

Alan Alderson, 18, of Kettering said he has no choice but to look for “super deals” this holiday season. “I got laid off on Friday,” he said. “I’m not too worried, though. I have three interviews (for jobs) lined up this week.”

By making sacrifices earlier in the year, Tom Haus, 26, of Beavercreek said, “I can still buy the presents I need for people,” including his almost one-year-old daughter Karina, who was shopping with him Sunday.

Tracy Hunt-Cupp said her family members draw names every year in a gift exchange. But this season, the Centerville resident said, the gift limit has been lowered from $100 to $50 because of the economy.

Bad times or good times, Diane Cole of Dayton said she is determined to spread the holiday cheer. “Cut back on Christmas gifts? You don’t do that.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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