Retailers Start Holiday Sales Now

Well, if Christmas seems to come a bit earlier every year, why not Black Friday? Traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving (the day when steep discounts and holiday-shoppers combine to put retailers in the black), Black Friday is being pushed up to before Halloween this year. Retailers like Walmart, Sears, and Amazon are starting holiday sales earlier than ever in an attempt to lure cash-strapped consumers into their stores. Says one retail consultant: “If retailers don’t capture that first or second purchase, they may find themselves with a lot of inventory the week before Christmas and the need for massive discounting to save the holiday.”