'Black Friday' shoppers have alternatives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Price-conscious U.S. consumers don't need to camp out at retailers in the wee hours of "Black Friday" to find holiday bargains, retailing analysts say.

The frenzied shopping ritual beginning in some cases at midnight Thanksgiving drew 66 million shoppers last year, up from 58.9 million in 2006, the National Retail Federation says. But because of the recession, suffering retailers are likely to offer deep discounts every day from Thanksgiving to Christmas, USA Today reported Wednesday.

"Black Friday is really just a focus point for consumers who think, 'This is the day I'm really going to get the best deals,'" Richard Gerstein, chief marketing officer for Sears, which also owns Kmart, told the newspaper. "We're trying to give the confidence that they can get lots of great deals not just on Black Friday but throughout the season."

With inventories high, retailers told USA Today that "Black Friday" discounts will only be the tip of the iceberg this year -- prices likely will be deeply cut throughout the four-week shopping season.

Shoppers wanting to avoid the lines will also be able to find plenty of online bargains as well, the newspaper said.