If the past is any guide, we will be told how packed the parking lots are "and they will, thanks to the hype, probably be packed. Part of the reason is the deep discounting and special sales "what are called "lost leaders to get customers into the store even if you have to bribe them to come.
What happened last year was that most consumers only bought the sales items and left most of the other goods untouched. No wonder, a number of malls are now in foreclosure,
At the same time, all we hear from business is optimism, including the use of the term "surge that has been used so deceptively in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Example: "Some e-retailers expect a strong surge in Thanksgiving weekend sales
"Having already unleashed a flurry of deals, discounts and other incentives, web retailers are looking for strong sales the day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest online shopping days of the year. And unlike last year, when the tough economy reined in spending, many retailers believe this Friday after Thanksgiving, often referred to as Black Friday, will deliver significantly higher web sales.
Higher until the credit card bills come and the returns start when folks realize they can't afford what they bought, Almost every year, after Christmas, the credit card companies report sales that looked at the time as so "disappointing or didn't "didn't live up to expectations,
At the same time, conservative bloggers like Andrew Breibart say:
"Black Friday predictions run from pessimistic to disastrous, negative interest rates worry the markets, and the New York Times makes ridiculous claims about the success of the stimulus.
Reuters is cautious too: "Stocks could sputter this week as volumes dry up in holiday-shortened trading and with a slew of economic reports likely to illustrate the recovery is still fragile.
Investors will also get a glimpse of how holiday shopping could shape up with "Black Friday," which traditionally marks the start of the season as retailers slash prices. It will be difficult for the economic recovery to make much headway without a pick-up in consumer spending as it accounts for two-thirds of the economy.
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