NEW YORK — After pushing steep discounts throughout November that are usually reserved for the day after Thanksgiving, retailers are offering even bigger cuts and promotions for Black Friday in a frantic bid to pull in shoppers.
But the bargain hunters showing up for the early-morning specials on toys and TVs are not expected to buy with the same gusto as a year ago, as they fret about tightening credit, massive layoffs and shrinking retirement funds.
Not to mention that consumers are already jaded by all those “60 percent off” signs plastered on storefronts. Analysts say shoppers may stick to smaller gifts like cosmetics rather than $1,000 flat-panel TVs in a holiday season expected to be the weakest in decades.
Another concern? There aren’t any must-have items so far, even in toys — though some items have been popular, such as Spin Master Ltd.’s Bakugan.
“I will be careful,” said Joanna Rizzo, 20, an executive secretary from Medford, N.Y. who plans to stick to her budget of $200 for the day after Thanksgiving.
Rizzo has just finished paying off her credit cards and plans to use cash to pay for her presents.
Overall, she plans to spend about $600, less than the $1,000 she spent on presents last year.
