Black Friday 2009

Amidst a struggling economy and growing concerns that another slum is right around the corner, retailers once again slash prices this day after Thanksgiving, opening even earlier than previous years: JC Penny at 4am, Gilroy outlet mall at midnight, and listen to this, Old Navy on Thanksgiving day itself. Best Buy, promised to offer incredible deals, opens at 5am attracts campers as earlier as 10am the day before.

I joined the crowd at Fry's Electronics at Osgood Road, Fremont, California amid police detour and a line of 100 people at 4:45am. Free after rebate items are practically non-existent this year. GPSes lined the walls but drew little interest. Flying off the shelves, HDTVs remain the favorite this holiday season - people were still lining up for them as late as 6am.

The line at Fry's is long even before dawn

People show up in warm gear, the entrance is round the corner at the far side of the building (not visible from here)

Police had barricaded off the side streets

Nearby retail giant Walmart offered discounts on low end items and shoppers filled the enormous parking lot to the last spot. Off brand 32" LCD went for a pityful $300 and the crowd was loving it.

Walmart's lot was completely full

I don't blame him for showing up in his pajamas, it was real early

Home improvement stores like Lowes, Home Depot and OSH didn't fare so well. Customers were scant and business was dismal. They could have saved on utilities opening later.

While economists claim to have seen signs of growth and the shopping rush today may represent some belt loosening evidence, it is still unclear whether the good times will last. Last year saw some incredible Black Friday weekend sales figures initially but the numbers soon tapered off. No matter what records today's shopping spree may break, if any, the looming economic atmosphere such as the Dubai crisis will surely have retailers weary about business in Decemeber - the most important month of the year. Hopefully that translates to more good deals for consumers.

Reporting live from Fremont, California, it's Black Friday 2009.