The day after Thanksgiving Day -- also known as Black Friday -- is traditionally the start of the holiday shopping season, although many shoppers begin Christmas shopping much earlier.
Black Friday got its name because it was usually the first day retailers sold enough merchandise to turn a profit -- putting them “in the black” according to an old accounting system when black ink indicated a profit and red ink showed a loss. But Black Friday is rarely the busiest shopping day of the season -- it’s usually the Saturday before Christmas, according to retail experts.
Here’s a sampler of deals some of the midstate’s major retailers will be offering Friday:
— Walmart -- Magnavox Blu-ray player with Wifi for $69, and it includes a $10 in-store credit. HDTVs are also on sale: a 40-inch Samsung LCD TV for $498; Emerson 42-inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV for $398; an HP 15.6-inch notebook w/Intel Celeron processor, 3GB memory, 250GB hard drive for $298; more than 60 Blu-ray movie titles for $5 each. Sales begin at 5 a.m.
— Best Buy -- Nintendo Wii console bundle for $169.99; a Panasonic Viera 50-inch 1080p plasma HDTV for $699.99; and a Toshiba BDX1100 Blu-ray disc player for $59.99. Opens at 5 a.m.
— Target -- Select appliances such as toasters, mixers, and sandwich makers are going for $3 each; Westinghouse 40” LCD TV $298. Opens at 4 a.m.
— Toys R Us -- Seven-inch Netbook for $79.99; Leapfrog ClickStart My First Computer for $19.99; Coby 7” portable DVD player for $49.99. Sales begin at 10 p.m. Thursday.
— Kohl’s -- Specials include 40 percent to 60 percent off all watches, and 50 percent off all toys; Isotoner leather gloves $15.99; Croft & Barrow dress shirts, $9.99. Opens at 3 a.m.
— Staples -- All furniture will be 30 percent off; $299 15-inch HP laptop; LogItech V220 wireless notebook mouse, $7.99. Opens at 6 a.m.
— Sears -- Belkin HDTV starter kit, $19.99; Emerson GM527 Portable DVD and Karaoke Player, $84.99; Kenmore washer/dryer combo for $599. Opens at 4 a.m.
— Macy’s -- 12-piece stainless steel cookware set for $28; Anne Klein Watch with diamond accent, $29.99. Opens at 4 a.m.
— Radio Shack -- Special offers include a 19-inch LED HDTV for $149.99 and an UltraHD camcorder for $129.99. Opens at 5:30 a.m.
— JC Penney -- Baby Cakes Cupcake Maker or Cuisinart Cookie Press, $28.88; 30-pc. glassware set, $18.88; 1.5-qt. Slow Cooker, $7.88. Opens at 4 a.m.
— Burlington Coat Factory -- Bubble jackets for entire family, $9.99; women’s leather jacket, $69.99; men’s and ladies’ sweaters $9.99; Big Buck Hunter Pro Video Game, $29.94. Opens at 5 a.m.
— Bass Pro Shops -- Sherpa lined sweatshirts, $24.99; Quantum Kevin VanDam Signature series Baitcast Reel, $49.94; kids 5-pc. pink or blue camo camp kit, $19.94. Opens at 6 a.m.
— Dick’s Sporting Goods -- Men’s and women’s Nike Classic Fleece, $19.98; NFL Platinum football, $19.98; Roadtrip Grill LXE, $129.98. Opens at 5 a.m.
