Iron Bowl move to Black Friday worries Alabama retailers

[DramaQueenLucy]

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Saturday, April 11, 2009 DAWN KENTNews staff writer

As if 2009 wasn't already shaping up to be a brutal year for Alabama retailers, another blow was delivered Friday with the news that the biggest football game in the state will coincide with one of the most anticipated shopping days.

 

The annual Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn will be played this year and next year on the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, so-named because historically it's when many retailers see their first profit of the year.

 

It's also the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season and heavily promoted with deep discounts, extended hours and freebies to attract throngs of shoppers.

 

But now Black Friday might have another meaning: mourning the loss of profits.

 

"Basically Alabama shuts down during the Alabama/Auburn game," said Nancy Dennis, a spokeswoman for the Alabama Retail Association. "People are either watching it on TV or going to the game, but they're not out shopping."

 

Dennis said the ARA heard complaints from merchants when the Iron Bowl moved two years ago from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the Saturday after the holiday. They were worried about the game cutting into their post-Black Friday traffic.

 

Now, with the game on the celebrated shopping day itself, ardent football fans who double as die-hard shoppers might face a tough decision.

 

For those closest to the football programs, the choice will likely be easy, although Terry Saban, wife of Alabama coach Nick Saban, is known to be a power shopper.

 

"First of all, you'll have to ask her," Nick Saban said Friday when asked what Terry would do. "She makes her own decisions about what she does. She doesn't miss very many games. When you think as a head coach, you don't even think that missing a game is an option."

 

And for the rest of the football-loving masses, missing a game like the Iron Bowl probably

[jbdinos]

hmm... if this were in Indiana... the snacks would be made a day earlier.. the lists would be down to essentials and people would tag team by groups getting together and each picking a store to do everyone's shopping in order to get home in time to throw out the snacks and watch the game together... then unload the goodies from the vehicle after the game :)

[guilliam]

I would have to miss the game;)

 

I wait for BF all year and I'm not about to miss it for a ball game of any kind (unless of course one of my kids were playing in it)

[mgmckny]

Well as long as it's not Florida/Florida State, my husband would have no problems with me being out shopping all day...LOL. Sorry for my Alabama/Auburn buddies though!

[lori12563]

Cant you tape the game?

also Game doesnt come on at 6 am when sales are on. right?

[cotejb]

The LSU/Arkansas game used to be on Black Friday but its not until like 1:30 I think so I had plenty of time to go shopping before going to the game. But I guess for the people who spend all day out on Black Friday it could be a problem.

[freesia39]

Even if the game is at 130, people are usually tailgating at 10am. If you were able to head out early, you'd be really tired, and tailgating and watching the game can take a lot out of you. Rivalry weekends take a lot of energy.

 

I think I'd choose... the game. But thankfully, UCLA/USC plays on Saturday.

[laddhorn]

Even if the game is at 130, people are usually tailgating at 10am. If you were able to head out early, you'd be really tired, and tailgating and watching the game can take a lot out of you. Rivalry weekends take a lot of energy.

 

I think I'd choose... the game. But thankfully, UCLA/USC plays on Saturday.

Sounds like Red Bull + Vodka instead of just beer!