More big-ticket buys this Black Friday

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - For the past few years -- ever since the recession hit in 2008 -- Black Friday has been different.
 
People bought more of things they would normally buy -- like towels or clothes -- and steered away from big-ticket purchases like electronics and other luxury items.
 
But Grand Valley State University Economics Professor Paul Isely told 24 Hour News 8 this year might look a little more like Black Fridays of 2005 and 2006.

"I think people are going to be spending a little more this year and they're going to be spending on things they wouldn't have considered last year," said Isely. "Things that maybe they put off for two years."  
 
One of those shoppers, Charity Schantz, said she plans to take advantage of Black Friday deals, but hasn't decided if she wants to brave the crowds in the stores.  
 
"[It will be] a mad house," said Schantz while shopping at Meijer with her kids Tuesday afternoon. "Just extremely busy. I know in previous years, lines are wrapped around the store. You're waiting in line to check out for hours, and it really only takes a half hour to get all your items because you're rushing so fast."  

She said she thinks this year will have bigger, possibly more aggressive crowds than the last few.

"People are really spending a lot more," said Schantz. "I really think that shows that they're confident that money's going to be there after Christmas too."
 
Schantz is planning to take advantage of Black Friday deals on bigger-ticket children's toys.

Isely said he thinks those big-ticket items will be the big difference between this year and the past few.
 
"People feel more comfortable, and as people feel more comfortable, they're willing to buy more things," said Isely.  

Isely said overall sales numbers have been inching back since the recession hit in 2008, but now since more people have jobs and the economy is doing better this year will likely see pre-recession numbers. He said that means people will likely be spending more money on those bigger, pricier items.
 
"Coming out of their recession, [consumers] were very scared of having their jobs, they were a little pessimistic about the future, and so they were using sales to purchase things they would have done anyways," said Isley. "We are now seeing a shift where people are going back and buying a few luxury items."
 
And even if you don't care about Black Friday sales and don't plan to brave the crowds, Isely said the sales shift is still important.
 
"It generates the ability of other people to make things for them to buy and that means jobs," he said.