Bargain hunters and regular customers formed lines at Wal-Mart and Fort Western Stores in Nebraska City early Friday morning for the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.
Pam Stanley of Stella and Kae Wissler of Benton, Ark., said the line at the downtown clothing retailer were part of the fun.
“Small town shopping is a lot better. It’s not overly crowded and it’s neat to see the people out. It gives you a little bit of hope in the economy,” Wissler said.
The crowd at Wal-Mart started building around 4 a.m. for the 5 a.m. start of the “Black Friday” sale and Store Manager Christian Garcia said it was busy for the first two hours.
“It was busier this year than last year. The numbers are up,” he said.
Garcia said the rush is linked to the economy.
“People are looking for any bargains they can get. If they can save money by coming in at 4 o’clock or 5 o’clock, then that ‘s what they will do,” he said.
Alicia Gammel of Nebraska City said she took it easy this year, reaching the check-out stand at Wal-Mart just after 8 a.m. The 29-year-old mother of three said the hottest bargains went fast.
“The Wii games, $2 movies, computers and flat screen TVs for $250, they were all gone,” she said.
Robyn Long, interim store manager at the Vanity Fair Outlet at the Factory Stores of America, said bargain prices are key to the store’s strategy to boost sales.
The store opened an hour early and the first 100 hundred customers on Friday received a $5 savings card. The store introduced its after-Christmas pricing before Thanksgiving and offered an extra 15 percent off Friday until 10 a.m.
“Sales and our loyal customer base gives us the opportunity to finish the year strong,” she said.
Nebraska City, Neb. —
