Continuous News

Consumer culture abounds on Black Friday

Posted: Nov 23, 2012 6:53 PM by Ben Trotter

It is estimated that Black Friday 2012 could exceed $21 billion in sales, up from $19.3 billion in 2011. To put that in perspective, that's roughly the annual Gross Domestic Product of El Salvador.

The National Retail Federation estimates that 147 million Americans will be out shopping Black Friday weekend. They are expected to spend roughly $750 each.

Across Bozeman, it's not hard to see this scene playing out across the rest of the country, with lines of shoppers stretched down and around the block at multiple department stores.

One shopper, Mason Weber, says about Black Friday, "I think it's hyped up a lot...Black Friday's normally when a lot of companies go in the black, that's why it's called 'Black Friday', so I think it's necessary...a necessary evil, perhaps.

Some would disagree, citing it as a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the beleaguered American economy, while getting a great deal. Says shopper Linda Carnefix, "I think it's worth it, ‘cause the prices are really low, and stuff, and you can get stuff for pretty cheap, on Black Friday".