Shoppers search for bargains

Kicking off the annual ritual of shopping the day after Thanksgiving, Sarasotans hoping to find a bargain packed stores early today.

Black Friday began as early as midnight in some locations, and at area Walmarts, it actually started on Thursday. The world’s largest retail was open all day Thanksgiving Day for those bargain hunters who just couldn’t wait to get a jump on Christmas shopping.

The Best Buy on South Tamiami Trail opened at 5 a.m. this morning. For the convenience of the people lining up before the doors opened, the store placed two portable toilets in the parking lot.

Nationwide, 138 million people are expected to be lured into stores to take advantage of sales such as Walmart’s $200 laptop computer and Target’s $298 high-definition TV.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].