Black Friday 2009 ....finding bargins without getting trampled to death.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, boasts some of the hottest deals out there for consumers.  In the past, buyers lined up outside of retail stores shaking with the anticipation of the bargain they were about to get on their new TV or computer.  And this year will be no different, for the most part.

After last year's Wal-Mart tragedy when a worker was trampled to death at the doors' opening, some changes have been instituted by this bargain giant as well as other retailers to guarantee the safety of the buyers that will surely make up any losses they may have suffered in past quarters. 

Most Wal-Mart stores that are regularly open 24 hours will remain open on Thanksgiving.  This allows shoppers to enter the store in a calm, non-stampede-like fashion and allows all of the store's employees to keep their lives.  Each product will have its own line.  Buyers wanting more than one item will be faced with the choice of which line to go for first and how to secure any other coveted prizes. 

Other retailers, such as Best Buy, will be handing out tickets for sale items as they have done in previous years.  This is just one of the few precautions taken by the company that landed in the Top Ten Most Generous American Companies by Forbes.  Most companies double their regular amount of private security.  Best Buy managers are allowed to even hire police detail if they feel the extra security is needed.  Some employees are assigned to crowd control duty, meaning they just watch for escalating situations among customers and resolve the conflict immediately whatever it takes.

Some companies plan to provide drinks and entertainment to keep Black Friday shoppers calm while they wait.  Employees hand out maps and managers try to make sure all areas are well-marked so people aren't running around frantically searching for desired items.

Retailers are expecting a decline in shopping this year because of the current state of the economy.  As a result, some will not be offering the eye-bulging deals they once did, or they will not have the overflowing stock seen in previous years.  This could result in a shorter period of chaos of intensified madness brought on by the mad scramble for short supply.  All retailers are hoping for control as they prep weeks in advance with extra security measures and drills to prep employees for the rush. 

Whatever your motivation is for getting out there, be careful, be aware and be considerate.  If everyone demonstrates a little extra kindness it could make a happier shopping trip for all or even save a life.  Good luck!

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