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more photosParking spaces were in short supply at the Old Mill district in Bend on Friday as shoppers braved freezing rain to get the Black Friday deals. Several hundred people waited outside REI before the store opened at 8 a.m.
Photos by Pete Erickson / The Bulletin
Weather was dismal, but the sales were not
A number of retailers say traffic was heavier than last year
By Andres Navarro / The Bulletin
Published: November 28. 2009 4:00AM PSTBend shoppers braved cold weather and even snow on Black Friday, hoping to cash in on good deals for their holiday shopping.
Compared with last year, some stores reported more people out during the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.
At the Old Mill District, parking lots were at capacity, cars were parked along the sidewalks and some people drove around looking for a parking spot for 15 minutes or more.
Even as it started snowing, people hustled from store to store, shaking off the snow to continue shopping.
At the outdoors equipment store REI, consumers walked in, unzipped their jackets and browsed at items like jackets, winter shoes and ski and snowboard equipment.
Store manager Dave King was surprised by the number of people shopping Friday.
“We didn't open early like other stores did but at 8 a.m.,” he said. “But when we did, we had about 250 or more people waiting outside.”
He attributed it to the store giving away 300 reusable bags with gift cards inside and to people being seemingly better prepared for holiday shopping. Customers have made shopping lists and appear to be budgeting accordingly, he said.
“Last year, we had just plunged into the recession,” he said. “This year, people are out more because they seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The economy has forced people to become more creative in their spending this holiday season, possibly looking harder for the bargains in the face of tough times. The unemployment rate in Deschutes County was 15.4 percent in October, the latest data available, and many other people who have work have seen their hours and pay reduced. A year ago at this time, in November 2008, the unemployment rate was almost 5 points lower, at 10.6 percent.
Teresa Daily, store manager at Target in Bend, said this year had the biggest Black Friday turnout she has seen in her eight years working at the store. Target opened at 5 a.m. for a line of people that wrapped around the building.
“I think we had a such a huge turnout this year for a lot of reasons,” she said. “There are more competitive prices out there, and people are looking for those prices.”
Whether it's putting money aside early, spending less or shopping different stores, people are spending money for the holidays, Daily observed.
Todd Cook, 41, of Redmond, and his family prepared for holiday shopping.
“I think we'll be spending about the same as last year,” he said. “We're able to do this because we planned ahead of time and don't have to worry about overspending or anything.”
Madras resident John Towery, 59, said he was out shopping on Black Friday because of the deals to be found in the stores.
“It seems like prices are better this year,” he said. “We are planning on spending the same as last year but might end up with more since prices are more competitive.”
The Bend Sears opened at 4 a.m. Friday, an hour earlier than last year, with more door-buster deals, said store Operations Manager David Davalos. Before the doors opened, there were about 200 or more people waiting to get inside the store's multiple entrances, he said.
“I was actually surprised at the amount of people waiting to come in,” he said. “People are looking for bargains, and it's because people are looking to stretch their dollar.”
Maureen Crawford, 54, went shopping today specifically looking for holiday deals.
“I've spent very little so far, but I've found some awesome deals,” she said. “I'm planning to spend less this year, but I may end up with more because of all the deals.”
Andres Navarro can be reached at 541-617-7818 or at anavarro@bendbulletin.com.
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