(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 01, 2008 ) Sacramento-OBSNews.com- Black Friday, the traditional day after Thanksgiving sales event where retailers go from “red” ink to “black” ink- and profitability- has risen 3% over 2007 according to industry analyst ShopperTrak RCT Corp.

While the state of the economy has stolen the thunder from previous years, consumers spent $10.6 billion.

“Retailers should be cautiously optimistic as deep discounts drove consumers en masse to various retail locations to spend, despite myriad economic pressures seen over the last two months,” ShopperTrak said.

By region, the southern portion of the nation led with gains of 3.4% and the Midwest was on their heels, up 3.0%. The West showed a 2.7% gain and the Northeast held up the end with 2.6%.

Businesses, such as Longs Drugs based in Walnut Creek, CA, were getting into the act as well as they had specials to lure shoppers in their doors and away from the crushing crowds of the malls nearby. Longs had digital memory cards at drastically reduced pricing as well as specials on Christmas wrapping and snacks.

Make no mistake however; shoppers are planning to be frugal in 2008. Sacramento resident Lula James spent money at both Macy’s and Aeropastale in the Arden Fair Mall.

“Last Year I spent around $500 at this mall, and about $250 at Wal-Mart. This year I’ll spend maybe $400 at Wal-Mart and $200 here. I am trying to get the same number of gifts this year but with a little less money,” James told the Sacramento Bee.

ShopperTrak cited retailers’ early openings, Wal-Mart opened at 5am- and a variety of “door buster specials” to lure shoppers from their homes.

“While this is an encouraging start for retailers, there is no guarantee that these deep discounts will hold after Black Friday weekend, which could slow spending,” said Bill Martin, co-founder of privately-held ShopperTrak.

“Additionally, consumers have just 27 days to shop this year as opposed to 2007, which may catch some procrastinating consumers off guard, leading to slower sales,” he said.

The ShopperTrak National Retail Sales Estimate covers retailers of apparel, sporting goods, electronics, general merchandise and other related store sales.

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