PORT ANGELES — The early birds are out.
It’s Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — kickoff for the Christmas shopping season.
Retailers were ramping up this week with decorations and bargain deals for the door-busters who they expected to show up en masse today, with some stores opening before dawn.
Despite the holiday cheer, economists are saying this shopping season could be a difficult one for retailers.
As more and more people face unemployment and tightening credit, the Commerce Department reported that the nation’s gross domestic product fell 0.3 percent in the third quarter, and disposable income has seen its biggest drop on record.
In Port Angeles, retailers have cut prices to bring customers into their stores. But there’s nothing too extraordinary going on this year.
Barb Frederick, executive director of the Port Angeles Downtown Association, said a lot of businesses are stocking holiday merchandise differently because in this tough economy, people are making their Christmas gift selections based on practicality and price.
Hometown experience
She said businesses are going out of their way to offer a hometown shopping experience.
“That’s great service and a selection you can’t find anywhere else,” Frederick said.
“There hasn’t been a lot of talk about anybody doing anything different,” added Victoria McDonald, director of member services and sales for the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
“I haven’t heard a lot of information, but I think people are thinking a little more out of the box.”
Swain’s General Store, at 602 E. First Street in Port Angeles, planned to open its doors at 5 a.m. today — one hour earlier than it normally opens on Black Friday.
Swain’s is passing out $10 gift cards to the first 100 adults through the doors.
More bargains await inside, with coffee and doughnuts, too.
“We’re excited about the day after Thanksgiving,” said Jack Little, Swain’s president. “Things are going well. We’re looking forward to it.
“The coffee’s on.”
The name Black Friday refers to the day that stores traditionally go into the black for the year — make a profit.
Big shopping day
Brit Beemer, an analyst with America’s Research Group in Orlando, Fla., predicts one-third of U.S. consumers will go shopping today.
Gas prices are down, so the effect the economy will have on this season’s sales remains to be seen.
One thing is certain — good deals are out there.
“We’re in a major, major retail free-fall,” Beemer told The Seattle Times. “If you want to buy something on Friday, you’re probably going to get the deal of your life.”
Nationwide, Wal-Mart is one of the corporations that cuts its prices on Black Friday.
The Port Angeles Wal-Mart, at 3500 E. U.S. Highway 101, and Sequim Wal-Mart, at 1110 W. Washington Street, each planned to open at 5 a.m. today.
The 5 a.m. opening is standard for the local Wal-Marts on Black Friday, employees with the stores said this week.
Customer loyalty
At Swain’s, Little said his business is faring better than larger chains in this economy.
He attributed it to customer loyalty. Swain’s has been operating in Port Angeles for 51 years.
“We’ve been through this before,” Little said. “A lot of stores are having a hard time. The big guys are having serious problems.
“I think everybody’s looking forward to the holiday season. The first weekend will tell us a lot.”
Gottschalks, at 200 W. First St. in Port Angeles, planned to throw open its doors open at 5 a.m. today, the usual time for the day-after-Thanksgiving sale.
The downtown store offers door-buster deals at “very good prices” on Black Friday, according to a spokeswoman who wished to remain anonymous.
“It’s standard, except for the fact that we’ve got even better deals than normal,” the Gottschalks spokeswoman said.
Sequim promotion
Swain’s Outdoor, at 990 E. Washington Street in Sequim, will open its doors at 6 a.m. Friday morning. An employee said the store is offering 10 percent discounts in exchange for a food donation.
Billed as an old-fashioned Christmas, today’s “Sunrise Shopping in Sequim” event includes nine businesses.
The Sequim Chamber of Commerce is promoting the Black Friday event.
At Forks Outfitters, 950 S. Forks Avenue, Dave Gedlund, store director, said the tough economic outlook likely won’t affect the community store nearly as much as the larger chains.
Forks Outfitters stocks groceries, clothes and just about everything else.
“We’re kind of waiting to see. They’re talking doom-and-gloom, but we’re in a different market,” Gedlund said. “It’ll be interesting.”
As usual for a Black Friday, Forks Outfitters planned to open its doors at 7 a.m. — one hour earlier than normal — with sales on clothing and hardware.
Back in downtown Port Angeles, Frederick said many businesses typically use the week after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas.
The city’s downtown open house will be Dec. 5-7, with a tree-lighting festival to start at 4 p.m. Dec. 6.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
