Shoppers out in force

Area consumers respond to discounts and other great holiday deals

By Mike Benbow

Herald Writer

Shoppers flooded area stores Friday, as deep discounts and limits on a number of must-have items pulled many out of their beds before dawn.

"This is the year of the shopper," said Jeff Feiner, managing director of Lehman Brothers, noting deeper discounts this Thanksgiving weekend than last year. "The real message that the retailers understand is how promotional they need to be, and are kicking it off with great discounts."

Carolyn Baer of Everett faced the 6 a.m. crowds at Fred Meyer near Mill Creek Friday to stock up on half-priced socks for her grandsons.

She said she was also attracted to the computer games, which were 25 percent off.

The parking lot at the Tulalip Wal-Mart near Marysville was nearly full by 6:30 a.m. Friday.

Things were so busy there weren’t enough carts for new shoppers coming through the door. But many people kept smiles on their faces while shopping cart traffic backed up in the aisles.

Wal-Mart was one of many of the nation’s retailers attempting to lure people in early with heavily discounted electronic gadgets and other goods. The strategy appeared to be working.

Hot sale items were 19-inch color televisions; some shoppers packed two or more into their carts. Shoppers also snatched up Apex combination CD/DVD players for $74, and $199 camcorders. People also loaded into their carts $5 waffle irons, electric knives and toasters.

Bob the Builder stuffed toys were sold out by 6:45 a.m., while a lot of little girls will get $5 Barbie cars for the holidays, too. Another hot-selling item was traditional bicycles.

Checkout lines were long, but some checkers used hand-held computers to ring up merchandise for people in line, giving them totals so customers could pay immediately once they reached the cashier.

Independent retailers such as Wal-Mart weren’t the only busy places. Everett and Alderwood malls also were mobbed.

So was Northgate Mall in north Seattle, where Francine Black of Everett has been selling Alaska Smokehouse salmon for 18 years. She said business is about the same as in past years, but that’s partly because the company has slashed prices considerably.

While a pound of salmon normally sells for $24.99, the company is asking $14.99 this season.

The malls weren’t the only busy places Friday.

J. Matheson gifts on Colby Avenue in downtown Everett was also doing a brisk business. Employee Jamie Carroll said shoppers this year seem to be looking for more personal gifts. "They’re looking to spend their money on something meaningful and special," she said.

Home entertainment and home decor items are particularly popular, Carroll added.

Carroll’s parents, Don and Carole Carroll of Everett, were among those shopping at the gift store Friday. Don Carroll said he was late starting his shopping this year and was being a bit more selective.

"We’re trying to keep our spending here at home" to help local businesses, he added.

Carole Carroll said she was searching for "our family’s hearts’ desires — the special little things."

Asked if she’d be cutting back on spending this year, she replied, "I’m thinking that’s my goal at this point."

She also said she will definitely keep the focus on family togetherness.

"We try to not make buying the most important thing," she said. "We have a lot of family traditions that are important to us."

Herald writers Kate Reardon and Kristi O’Harran contributed to this story, as did The Associated Press.

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