By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY
christopher.tuffley@newssun.com
SEBRING -- While the numbers weren't ready by press time, shoppers were out at the Lakeshore Mall Friday, checking out the discounts and their gift lists to the sounds of Andy Williams singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."
It was the perfect song for retailers, for whom November and December typically produce as much as half of their annual sales and profits. This is why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday -- it's when the balance books move out of the red.
As much as it is a sign of the selling season, however, Black Friday is not the busiest shopping day of the year. That day has always been the Saturday before Christmas.
This year experts expect a rise in the number of shoppers overall. The National Retail Federation predicted about 134 million bargain hunters as opposed to last year's 128 million.
By 5 a.m. at the Walmart in Sebring every parking place was full, with cars parked on grass swales.
Despite the crowd, "Everyone out there wanted to be there. They were having a good time," said one shopper who asked not to be identified because she was shopping for family. "A lot of people were there for the laptops. They sold out by the time I left."
About 200 shoppers waited outside K-mart, which, still closed at 5:30 a.m., was late in getting open.
Some people were checking out the special deals. Some people came just to experience the energy.
Paul Giroux, seated in the mall sipping a cup of coffee, enjoyed himself people watching. "I'm not really a shopper," he said. "I'm looking."
A few feet away Cayli Watt, who attends Sebring Middle School, and Jessica Belcher, who goes to Hill-Gustat Middle School, were ready to spend money as they surveyed the selection at the jewelry kiosk, while Carol Mercer and her mother, Estella Mattison, picked out 2010 calendars as gifts.
Bath & Body Works was jammed. "We're having a wonderful day," said Linda Mapp, as she was surrounded by customers with questions.
By noon, Walmart's parking lot was still busy, but not packed. People kept arriving steadily, however. Clothing and electronics were the items most in demand.
Sebring's Historic Circle was not as busy, although there were shoppers out.
In Steve & Company, several people were browsing and buying, including two friends, Judy McLaughlin of Sebring and Sharon Depuy from Palm Bay. "I really came to visit my friend," Depuy said, "but I just love this shop."
McLaughlin said, "We were laughing last night. Who would get up at 4 a.m. to go shopping?"
As Joette Devon wrapped a gift for McLaughlin, Rhonda Barnes, the store's owner, couldn't help smiling. "It's going great," she said.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 - www.newssun.com/1129-ct-black-friday