The one-day sales extravaganza of Black Friday has morphed into month-long Black November. And that's a good thing, for retailers, consumers and the economy.
The recession changed the way retailers do business. The traditional post-Thanksgiving sales blitz started weeks ago, with ads and discounts both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
Adding a bit of holiday cheer to the end-of-year economic forecast: Floridians are expected to spend 3 to 4 percent more than last year, more than the anticipated national increase of 2.3 percent.
Spending is critical to help the country rebound from the recession. That's especially true for income-tax-less Florida, which relies heavily on tourism and sales taxes.
For retailers, the month of discounts is a way of luring consumers into buying gifts for others -- and maybe even themselves. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as the buying is done responsibly. Many Americans have started digging their way out of debt. That shouldn't go out the window the minute temptation appears in the form of a discounted e-reader or smartphone.
And before the line forms outside the electronics store to buy a 42-inch HDTV at never-before-seen low prices, let's also remember 2008.
That's when a Wal-Mart employee in Virginia was trampled to death by shoppers rushing through the door to grab Black Friday bargains.
To read the complete editorial, visit www.miamiherald.com.