The Day After Black Friday

Shoppers, like the crowd pictured above at South Coast Plaza, scouted for big deals on Black Friday.

The news coming out of Black Friday sounded like a resounding triumph.

South Coast Plaza’s General Manager David Grant estimated 300,000 people crowded through the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based luxury center on the much hyped shopping day. Los Angeles’ Beverly Center reported a 10 percent increase of Black Friday mall traffic compared to the mall’s Black Friday traffic in 2009. Newport Beach, Calif.-based Fashion Island also reported double digit increases in traffic on the start of the Christmas shopping season.

The big post Black Friday question is whether the momentum of the holiday shopping frenzy will continue said Jack Kyser, the chief economic advisor to the Southern California Association of Governments. “Everybody focuses on Black Friday,” he said. “But the proof of the pudding is what follows in the next couple of weeks. People were interested in the bargains and the deals (on Black Friday.) But will they drop out until a few days before Christmas?”

It’s a question we’ll be monitoring at California Apparel News. We’d also like ask readers what they think. Are you waiting for the perfect deal before you shop next? Will consumers keep shopping like crazy until Christmas? Or will they postpone shopping until deals are undeniable. Please tell us what you think at info@apparelnews.net or Apparel News’ Twitter page or Facebook profile.