Wal-mart employees trampled to death; shootings at Toys ‘R’ Us; hold-ups at a Miami mall: signs of the Apocalypse or merely scientific proof that humans evolved from more animalistic brethren? Neither, ’tis just the start of gift-giving season in the United States of America.

This past Friday, despite a flagging economy, consumers attempted to beat the swarms en route to a new X-Box 360 or nose hair trimmer. Shoppers lined up outside many a store to ensure that they wouldn’t be buying goodies for those they hold dear at the last minute, and stormed the opening times with such intensity that a life was taken in the process.

Retailers noted day after Thanksgiving crowds were slightly smaller than in recent years, and that most shops relied on hefty discounts to entice the thinning herd into buying everything from dollhouses to big screen TVs. While the cut-rates led to a surprising 3% increase in Black Friday sales from last year, the consumer tendency to go for on-sale items left much to be desired in the area of profit margin.

This year’s early shopping frenzy was marked less by focus on must-have items like Wii Fit and Elmo Live and more on practical, less extravagant items like mouthwash and bindles. Customers chose to
stay within their budget rather than splurge. However, many retailers seem optimistic about their profit prospects while tempering lower expectations after the modest beginning to the shopping season. The
good news is, for anyone that didn’t break an arm or leg in the initial surge for savings, you still have about a month to get something for someone you want to convince that you care for.