Black Friday - Retail Hurting?

Every year when black Friday approaches the media outlets always run stories around how bad the economy is and how this day is the most critical day for the retail industry based on their projected profitability. The media then proceeds to talk about how the economy and unemployment is going to cause sales to be down and somehow this year will be surprisingly the worst.

I always find this day comical as for one, most will not save tons of money when you compare to the time and hassle it takes to save a buck, then two, it always turns out to be record sales numbers and absolute chaos.

You have to ask yourself how bad of an economy can it really be? The news stories of people fighting, spraying pepper spray on others, not to mention trampling are Jerry Springer at best. People go nuts over saving $20 on an item to give someone or keep themselves and then be sick of in two months. I have to be honest, I enjoy a good deal like anyone else, but if I can't pay my power bill or put gas in the car then a blue-ray player 50% off is not going to be a priority.

Bottom line America is an interesting country. Times are so tough that iPhones are on back order and all teenagers have smartphones with data plans. Maybe our priorities are out of whack but one things for sure, your local Walmart shows just how tough times really are.