JASON BROWNE & TIM PRATT
Black Friday lived up to its name for a number of local retailers as merchants reported increased sales over last year.
An increase in customer traffic and spending was felt in department stores, gift boutiques and even restaurants as customers took to the aisles in search of holiday deals.
Business was good at Game Stop on Highway 12 in Starkville, where manager Scott Boggs said customers were lined up outside the door before he opened. Crowds were similar to last year, he said.
“People are saying there’s an economic downturn but it doesn’t seem to be affecting us,” Boggs said.
Predictably, department stores were the biggest beneficiaries. Columbus’ Belk Assistant Manager Cindy Parker wouldn’t reveal her store’s take, but she did divulge the chain was expecting a 16 percent increase in sales, and the Columbus store exceeded that expectation.
Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.
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