Wal-Mart Stampede May Get Black Friday Shoppers to Seek Black Monday Deals in the Future

Cyber Monday Sales Have Led Black Friday Sales in Past

Black Friday flows into Black Monday, sure as Christmas follows Thanksgiving. The Christmas shopping season got off to a better-than-expected start.

Although Black Friday sales were down $10 billion this year from last year's sales, the total number of shoppers, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) was up. In a written statement, NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said: "Holiday sales are not expected to continue at this brisk pace, but it is encouraging that Americans seem excited to go shopping again." The average amount spent per shopper was also up 7.2 percent.

Black Friday is used as an indicator as to how successful the Christmas shopping season will potentially be for retailers. And even though the numbers are up from last year's Black Friday, Phil Rist of Strategic Initiatives, BIGresearch, maintains that shoppers will remain cautious throughout the Christmas shopping season. Rist told UPI: "Weekend shoppers indicated that they are still sticking to a budget and thinking carefully before making any holiday purchases."

And thinking carefully might be in order for Wal-Mart and their shoppers come next Black Friday after the death of Long Island Wal-Mart worker Jdimytai Damour of Queens, NewYork. The 34-year-old temporary security worker was trampled to death when hundreds of early Black Friday shoppers burst through the doors at the 5 a.m. opening and stampeded through the store.

Four other people, including a pregnant woman were injured.

Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman stated to the New York Post: "The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this difficult time. At this point, facts are still being assembled and we are working closely with the Nassau County police as they investigate what occurred."