Those in the know, say that this season’s stars are the Zhu Zhu pet family. Mr. Squggles is the patriarch of the five hamster family, electronics and technology are growing faster each year are always hot sellers, and an appreciation for cashmere has resurfaced. Perhaps the tried and true finer things are enjoying a revival? Black Friday ninja shopping has become as American as apple pie, and often much more anticipated than many other aspects of the season. Of course, I’m referring to the hardy souls who rise at three AM with ads from every mall within 60 miles. They then mark each special featured there, and the most efficient route to hit all of them. Mobs of special friends and family wouldn’t miss it, and the economy hasn’t stopped them. It feels like hell on earth to me, I can only assume that I am lacking a vital shopping gene.
At 3:30 this morning, there were plenty of shoppers for retail anualyst Patty Edwards to question in Seattle. If that isn’t disturbing enough, the big news are Zhu Zhu pets, which have been snagged by people who will be happy to re-sell
them to you. This means all of your early morning, fresh air shoppers may well be joining approximately half of shoppers ncluding myself, if you’re going to place a winning bid on a battery driven hamster, or even find a reasonable buy on the latest electronic gear, without the sore feet.
I do find it ironic that security has been stepped up at malls this year, to avoid injuries which have escalated in recent years. This is hot on the heels of the two publicity grabbing reality show contestants who waltzed right into a White House state dinner! Perhaps the Secret Service could learn something from the people who guard the mall doors?