Five Things to Start Your Black Friday: Nov. 23

A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other crazed shoppers.

1. BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING FORECAST: Friday: Partly sunny. Milder. Highs in mid 50s. Saturday: Mainly cloudy with Highs in the upper 40s early then temps crash into the lower  30s by night. Sunday: Cold and windy. Clouds and sun. Maybe a flurry well NW? Upper 30s to low 40 for highs. 2. BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY: The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping …

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Walmart Pushes Back Black Friday Opening In R.I.

The retail giant has already released its Black Friday sale circular online.

Shoppers in Rhode Island will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales at retail giant Walmart. While Walmart locations across the rest of the country will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s Blue Laws prohibit the store to open that early in those two states. Instead, Walmart will open at 1 a.m., which is also the time many other retailers, including Target, plan to open for business on Black Friday.  Shoppers don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to find out about the Black Friday sales at Walmart. The company already has released its circular for the sale. For more ads, check out this site called Black Friday Ads. The sales for a number of retailers are already on that …

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More Than 25 Black Friday Deals Offered Around Town

A roundup of Newport and Middletown Black Friday deals.

Store Deal Wish 20% off all day; Open early at 9 a.m. RaNew Salon 20% off all gift cards Music Box 7 to 8:30 a.m. 40% off entire stock 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 30% off entire stock 12 to 11 p.m. 20% off entire stock Doorbuster sales from 12 to 9 p.m. include 40% off all Webkinz, Angry Birds, and Lil’ Kinz from 12 to 2 p.m., 40% off all Melissa & Doug and Sports Collectibles from 2 to 4 p.m., 40% off all Mattel, Hasbro, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Barbie, Star Wars, Transformers, BeyBlades, and Games from 4 to 6 p.m., and 40% off all regularly priced CD’s and DVD’s from 6 to 9 p.m. Life is Good 20% off entire store; free gifts with purchase of $50 and $100; extended hours opening at 8 a.m. Onne Van Der Wal Gallery 25 to 70% off entire store through …

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Shopping Tips Before Black Friday Madness

The Better Business Bureau offers you some tried and true advice before you head out the door in the wee hours of Black Friday morning.

Black Friday opens the 2011 holiday shopping season. And past experience indicates that all deals are not created equal and the fine print is often the most important thing, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Before you head out the door in the wee hours of Friday morning for a blockbuster sale and get caught up in the shopping frenzy, the BBB offers the following tips to help you save time and money. Know before you go. Many retailers release their Black Friday deals online, in social media and other publications. Research where the sales are and make a list of your gift priorities to compare prices and plan your day of deals. Remember to bring ads with you on Black Friday just in case the price is not what you expected. Don’t…

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What to Wear?

Black Friday Deal Hunting Requires Comfortable Clothing

Patagonia and Sole Desire provide the perfect outfit for a long day of deal hunting on Black Friday.

On your mark., get set, shop! The day after Thanksgiving has become the infamous Black Friday, where people get up well before the sun and knock each other over as they flood into stores to get unbelievable deals. While we certainly don't condone knocking people down to get the greatest toy in town, it's a good day  knock a few items off your holiday shopping list while saving a bit of money. If you are going to battle the crowds, there will be enough aggravation without wearing something uncomfortable to make the experience worse. As of Wednesday afternoon, the forecast for Friday was predicted to be in low 30s to upper 40s (depending on how early you rise) and a bit rainy, so we headed down to the Patagonia store at 468 Thames Street …

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