[5]By Biz Reporter,
ShopLocal reports a 21% increase in Black Friday deals compared to 2007. Stores are scrambling to get the most out of a drop in consumer spending and a diminishing economy.
Deals may be up, but freebies offered by stores appeared to be in decline in Oregon. The Oregonian Black Friday advertisements show only one department store offering free gifts to the first customers compared to two to three stories in years prior. In 2007, two sporting goods stores offered free gift cards ranging from $5 to $500 to the first 200 customers. This year saw only one outlet (Joes) offering such free gift cards.
Local stores are also offering advanced purchase of Black Friday deals during the weekdays before Thanksgiving. Woodburn Outlet Mall has been advertising their opening of their deals at 11:00 on Thanksgiving night which is pushing the outreach of shoppers into the Thursday.