They’re ready to wake at the crack of dawn, stand in line, size up the enemy and march into battle.
The armies of shoppers out hunting for Black Friday bargains today are determined to save loads of cash – and get the best deals ahead of the competition.
Some mad bargain hunters didn’t even bother to sleep – so they could be first on line at stores such as KB Toys that opened at midnight.
Many other stores are opening at sunup. Circuit City and Best Buy are both welcoming shoppers at 5 a.m.
Macy’s, Kmart, Target, Old Navy and Toys “R” Us all are opening an hour later at 6 a.m. Home Depot is opening at 7, Bloomingdale’s at 8, and J&R electronics at 8:30.
The Disney Store is giving kids another hour of sleep – opening at 9.
But no matter the hour, savvy shoppers from around the globe are willing to brave the frenzy and empty their wallets on gadgets and clothes.
“I started two days ago, and I’m ahead of schedule,” said Ron Wright, 50, who flew in from London just to shop.
“I won’t stop. If I see it and I like it, I’ll have it. I’m trying to take it all in.”
Wright plans on being among the first in line at Macy’s today. Next, he’ll hit Bloomie’s and said even if he’s fighting to stay awake, he won’t miss the Disney Store for anything in the world.
“I’m just trying to go to the right places and stay awake while I’m doing it,” he said.
A few used the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as an excuse to spend money.
“The family really came to see the parade, but as for sales, just point me in the right direction,” laughed Cathy Layne, 47, visiting from Kentucky.
Some families got a head start on beating the crowds and started shopping before today’s madness.
Stacey Bradley brought her sons, Connor, 6, and Joey, 8, to FAO Schwarz Thanksgiving Day to buy a few pre-Christmas gifts.
“They get to pick a few things out early this year,” Stacey said.
Charles and Donna Davis came from New Orleans – where they are redecorating their new home after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
“We needed to get away,” Charles said. “We’re going to do lots of shopping while we’re here. We’re planning on bringing back two extra suitcases full of gifts.”
This year, 32.9 percent of people polled nationwide said they would shop on Black Friday, according to marketing strategist Britt Beemer.
The day got its name because huge sales historically have pushed stores into the black the day after Thanksgiving.
The ultimate success of the Christmas shopping season will depend on whether or not there is a really hot item on the market, he said
Craig Johnson of Consumer Growth Partners said people come out in droves because more of them have jobs.
“Personal income has been rising, employment has been rising,” Johnson said.
“If people have jobs, they have income. If they have income, they spend. Housing and energy prices are secondary factors – much smaller part of the consumer dollar.”
Even though the day has become synonymous with sales, some of the big-name stores declined to comment on what Black Friday deals they planned to offer.
Still, many bargains were leaked beforehand.
“A year ago, Monday before Black Friday, there were no significant pre-announcements of Black Friday sales,” said Daniel de Grandpre of dealnews.com, a site that posts deals and sales circulars. “They are coming out earlier and are really staking their claim on price points. This year, the remarkable deals are on the LCD and plasma TVs.”
Like at Best Buy, where a Toshiba 50-inch plasma HDTV is selling today for $1,299.99. It was originally $1,699.99.
More monster discounts available to shoppers today include half off Game Boy Micro and assorted Lego packages at Toys “R” Us.
Bloomingdale’s is giving its shoppers a $15 gift card for every $100 they spend.
A free “Miracle on 34th Street” DVD will be given away with every $75 purchase at Macy’s.
According to bfads.net, a Web site that tracks Black Friday bargains, Circuit City is offering a deal from 5 to 11 a.m. Customers will get a free Polaroid camera with any purchase of $249 and over.
A Compaq Presario notebook is $299 after a $100 mail-in rebate given at the register.
DVDs like “Godzilla,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Little Mermaid” are $2.99 today. There’s also a deal on CDs – “Sam’s Town” by The Killers and Diddy’s “Press Play” are $6.99.
Old Navy is going even further with a Cereality breakfast bar giveaway in stores from 7 a.m. until noon. One $250 shopping spree will be given away to a lucky customer in each store.
Best Buy has a circular online, revealing today’s specials.
“Best Buy is all about wowing our customers this holiday season,” said Ruby Anik, senior vice president of marketing and communications. “We aim to surprise and delight holiday shoppers.”
For most people out buying today, the problem isn’t the cash they save, but how to get all their new toys home.
“We’ll shop for friends and family, but mostly for ourselves,” said Amy Mincey, 45, visiting from North Carolina with her family. “How will we get it all back?”
MACY’S
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; sale all day, with specials 6 a.m. to noon
Among the deals:
* Extra 20% off sweaters, suits, sleepwear for her
* Men’s Calvin Klein belted coat – $79.99
* Michael Kors dress shirts in solid colors – $19.99
* George Foreman Grill – $39.99
CIRCUIT CITY
5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; sale 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Among the deals:
* Free Polaroid camera with any $249+ purchase
* Panasonic MiniDV
camcorder – $169.99
* DVDs – $2.99 and $8.99 (select titles)
* CDs – $6.99 (select titles)
TOYS ‘R’ US
6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Among the deals:
* CD player shelf system – $29.99
* Curtis 15″ LCD TV – $179.99
* Dirt Devil Junior vacuum – $19.99
* Hoop to Hoop basketball – $29.99
* Crayola Dough Full of Fun play set – $9.99
THE HOME DEPOT
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; sale all day
Among the deals:
* 2-slice stainless steel toaster – $14.99
* Black & Decker Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker – $29.99
* Maytag tall tub dishwasher – $499.99
BLOOMINGDALES
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Among the deals:
* $15 gift cards for every $100 spent on current collections
BEST BUY
5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; sale 5 a.m. to noon
Among the deals:
* Blue Nintendo DS system – $99.99
* Canon SD600 digital camera – $219.99
* Insignia 10″ widescreen portable DVD player – $139.99
* Xbox 360 system – $299.99
THE DISNEY STORY
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; sale all day
Among the deals:
* Chicken Little Baseball set – $16.50
* Disney Princess Dolls – $20.00
* Pooh and friends plush bowling set – $19.50
K MART
6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; sales change by the hour
Among the deals:
* Athletech down jackets – 50% off
* Men’s socks – Buy one pair, get one free
* Oral-B Pro Care toothbrush – $69.99
* Puffy nylon jackets – 50% off
* Kenmore sewing machine – $59.99
OLD NAVY
6 a.m. to midnight; sale all day
Among the deals:
* $10 deals: fleece pullover, men’s thermals, fleece blankets, fleece vests
* $20 deals: fleece jackets, cable knit sweaters
TARGET
6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; sale all day
Among the deals:
* 2 pack Magic Gloves – 99ó
* Mary Jane Women’s Cozy Socks – 2 for $5
* Remington MicroFlex shaver – $44.88
* Dove and Ghirardelli boxed chocolate sets – $9
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Among the deals:
* Special sale on select merchandise 8 a.m. to noon
* 40%-50% off clothing, scarves, gloves, hats on racks and tables