MILWAUKEE, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A Milwaukee manager is expecting the biggest crowds ever when Black Friday shoppers begin their annual pilgrimage to the malls.
"The retailers are very optimistic heading into Friday," says Chris Jaeger, manager of the Bayshore Town Center in Glendale, Wis.
Jaeger told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indications are "they're going to pull out all the stops for Black Friday."
Surveys by the Conference Board point to bigger crowds but lower spending.
Average per-household holiday gift spending is expected to be $390 this year, down from an average of $418 in 2008.
For the first time ever Wal-Mart will stay open round the clock from 7 a.m. on Thursday until 11 p.m. on Black Friday, the Journal Sentinel says.
Outlet malls like Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County are opening at midnight on Thursday along with Toys "R" Us.
