subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Fri, Nov 27 2009 

Published November 28, 2008 10:20 pm - Although it’s too early to offer sales projections, local retailers are calling the start to the holiday shopping season Friday a success.

Local retailers say sales relatively good



By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

Although it’s too early to offer sales projections, local retailers are calling the start to the holiday shopping season Friday a success.

Casey Beckley, manager of the Target store in Joplin, said by 9 a.m., the store had already done 3,300 transactions.

“We have more guests than last year, but they are buying a little less,” Beckley said Friday afternoon. “But overall, with the economy the way it is, I’d say we’re doing well.”

The economy was looking up by the time the stock market closed early Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average locked in gains of 9.7 percent for the week and the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index gained 12 percent.

The Nasdaq, which had moderate losses in recent sessions, still gained 10.9 percent for the week. It was the first time the Dow rose for five consecutive sessions since July 2007.

The items that helped retailers climb out of the shopping slump this year were electronics and toys, Beckley said.

“I’d say 100 percent of those people, that’s what they were buying,” she said.

While local Toys “R” Us store officials wouldn’t comment to the Globe, Bob Friedland, public relations manager for Toys “R” Us corporate offices, said it was the integration of technology into toys that kept the toy retailer full of customers on Black Friday across the country.

“There’s a whole category of toys out there” with integrated life-like technology, Friedland said.

The company’s biggest sellers Friday included Elmo Live, Bakugan card game sets and Hasbro’s FurReal My Lovin’ Pup Biscuit.

The trend confirms an early Friday statement from the National Retail Federation (NRF) on preliminary Black Friday sales. Electronics, toys and apparel were the most popular items across the country, according to the release that specified flat screen televisions, GPS systems, digital frames, digital cameras, cashmere sweaters, video game systems and Blu-Ray players were the first items cleaned off of store shelves Friday morning.

Friedland said he couldn’t comment on the Toys “R” Us’ national sales numbers for Black Friday, but said it looks like customers are still willing to shop if they can find a good deal this year.

“Our customers are definitely out there shopping,” Friedland said Friday.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Announcements


Click here to VOTE!!

Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!


Featured Jobs

TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED

for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930.
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

YAMAHA PSR-GX76
76 key keyboard, new in box, sustain petal and music stand, paid $324, sell for $175. 417-434-0925...>MORE

OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE

2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE

1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE

HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE

3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE

525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO

to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double
...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE

NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE

POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE

I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>MORE

DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE

(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE

MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!

6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch
...>MORE

ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE

ANTIQUES FOR SALE
blue sette $350 2 lamps $75 coffee table $35 2 half side tables $35 2 mauve 60's chairs $225 will e-mail photos. 417-673...>MORE

MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition