With Expectations Low, Retailers See Victory on Black Friday
- Crowds were smaller in many spots, but chains stay upbeat
- At Macy’s, credit-card glitch hampers strong outerwear sales
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Brick-and-mortar retailers did enough things right on Black Friday to consider the event a success, even if the crowds of past years haven’t returned.
Chains simplified promotions this year and took a keener eye to managing their inventory. At Wal-Mart Stores Inc., color-coded maps helped shoppers navigate the aisles. Retailers also made headway with their e-commerce sites, aiming to chip away at Amazon.com Inc.’s dominance online.