ALBANY (AP) -- A statewide survey of retailers reports that 53 percent of merchants were pleased with Black Friday weekend sales, and 58 percent reported sales were the same or better than last year.
James Sherin, president of the Retail Council of New York State, says the council's first Holiday Sales Watch report of the season found that shoppers were budget-minded and focused on lower-priced items.
He said merchants expected that, and entered the holiday season with a strategy to stock lower-priced, practical merchandise and keep inventory levels down.
Popular toys included Barbie, Dora the Explorer and Zhu Zhu Pets, as well as Nintendo Wii and Transformers.
For adults, popular items included Blue-ray DVD players, small kitchen appliances, portable navigation devices, books and cold weather apparel.
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