Dundalk Shoppers Took Advantage of Black Friday Deals

Despite a 9 percent unemployment rate, Americans spent more on Black Friday than every before—$11.4 billion, according to ShopperTrak, a consumer data research company.

The Walmart in Dundalk opened its doors earlier than ever—10 p.m.—to allow customers more time to shop and to avoid customer stampedes for low priced electronics.

“It was a lot more calm this year than it has been in the past,” said Jamie Parker of Edgemere. “I do all our Christmas shopping on Black Friday, this year we got some great deals on a tv for our son and dvd's for almost everyone else.”

Eastpoint Mall was also a big destination for Dundalk shoppers on Friday.

“Black Friday really kicks off our busy season,” said Brandy, a manager at Bath and Body Works at Eastpoint. “We schedule almost all of our staff to deal with the increase in demand. I recommend the Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion as a great stocking stuffer gift for that special woman in your life.”

Despite the big start to the Christmas shopping season, experts are unsure if Americans will continue to spend in record numbers.

“This is the largest year-over-year gain in ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate for Black Friday since the 8.3 percent increase we saw between 2007 and 2006,” ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said in a statement. “Still, it’s just one day. It remains to be seen whether consumers will sustain this behavior through the holiday shopping season."

Over 150 million people went shopping at stores and websites on Black Friday, up 10 percent over last year, according to the National Retail Federation.