Sales up, Cards down

There were no reported deaths during one of the most dangerous days of the year- Black Friday. In years past it was not uncommon to hear of one or two unlucky people that were trampled by fellow shoppers looking to get the best deals the Friday after Thanksgiving.

According to “The Wall Street Journal” most stores in the country saw an increase in sales on Black Friday compared to those in 2008. Companies from around the United States posted numbers that showed anywhere from a 1.3 percent increase in sales to as much as a 17 percent increase in other parts of the country.

Freshman Pat Held said, “When my family went shopping on Black Friday it was nuts! There were so many people at the mall, and it took forever to drive from store to store.”

Although many areas reported increases in total revenue from 2008, most places also saw a significant drop in the number of credit cards being used by consumers.

“Because of the steady rise of interest rates this year, consumers aren’t buying such big and extravagant gifts for their families, they are buying smaller items, but at least they are still buying,” said Cindy Johnson President of Commerce of Grand Island, New York.

Companies both big and small in the Duluth area saw similar effects to those experienced by the rest of the nation, small increases in sales from 2008, and less sightings of the credit card.

“The cost of owning and using a credit card is getting so ridiculous this year that I only use mine whenever I don’t have cash with me,” said senior Luke Eastep.

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