Franklin County retailers report average sales for Black Friday

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Shoppers were out early Friday taking advantage of day after-Thanksgiving sales.
Retailers reported “average” sales early in the day Friday, but said larger spurts of crowds hit the stores throughout the day.
Peeble’s department store manager Brenda Johnson said the day started off like most Black Fridays in Russellville with a few early shoppers and spurts throughout the day.
Johnson said she expected steady sales this year.
Next door, it was a different story for Burke’s Outlet. Store manager Sam Finley said their early morning sales were higher than usual and she attributes that to the store’s recent expansion.
Finley said the store brought in $1,000 within the first hour Friday.
Down the street, Factory Connection reported steady sales.
Store manager Judy Lawrence said the store offered extra savings early in the day, and didn’t bring in major crowds.
At the Franklin County branch of the nation’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, there were lines for the big-ticket items at 4:45 a.m. Friday, but there was plenty to choose from by 7 a.m. when the crowd left.
Nintendo’s Wii and Rock Band seemed to be the biggest sellers Friday at Wal-Mart in Russellville.