US shopping stampede kills store worker

A US supermarket worker was trampled to death in a rush of shoppers at the start of the traditional Christmas sales season today.

The 34-year-old was swept away as long queues poured into the Long Island Wal-Mart as the doors opened at 5am.

Police said a throng of shoppers “physically broke down the doors, knocking him to the ground”.

Four others were taken to hospital including a pregnant woman.

But overall across the country it was clear that despite the crowds that showed up for the discounts, shoppers’ worries about the US economy – massive layoffs, tightening credit and dwindling retirement accounts – affected buying.

Retailers extended their hours, some opening at midnight, and offered deals that promised to be deeper and wider than even the deep discounts that shoppers found throughout November.

Black Friday, named because it was often the sales-packed day when retailers would become profitable for the year, was the biggest sales generator of the season last year. The day after Thanksgiving is an important barometer of people’s willingness to spend.

Many shoppers were focused on a few bargains and said they were slashing their overall budgets from a year ago as they juggled paying their rent and other bills while putting food on the table.

Even for the growing number of parents who were limiting their gift buying to just their children this year, financial troubles were forcing them to be stingy.

“I have never slept here before to save a few bucks, but with the economy so bad I thought that even a few dollars helps,” said Analita Garcia who arrived at a Best Buy store in Falls Church, Virginia, at 7 am on Thursday with 10 family members.

This year, with promotions of up to 70% throughout the month amid a deteriorating economy, the power of the landmark day for the retail industry could be fading.

Particularly this year, analysts will dissect how the economy is shaping buying habits in a season that many analysts predict could see a contraction in spending from a year ago.

Last year, the Thanksgiving shopping weekend of Friday to Sunday accounted for about 10% of overall holiday sales, according to ShopperTrak RCT Corp.

The group has not released estimates for Black Friday sales this year, but experts believe it will remain one of the season’s biggest selling days, even as shoppers remain deliberate in their spending.

“This is definitely a hit-and-run mentality,” said Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group. “They are running in, grabbing the deal and running out. This is what I am seeing this morning.”