Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Construction
West-Press
Printing Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION

NEW YORK — Shoppers, who had snapped their wallets shut since September, turned out in force Friday to grab early-morning deals and hard-to-find toys like Elmo Live, but many said worries about the economy have them focusing on fewer gifts and less expensive, more practical items.

Preliminary reports from major retailers including Macy's, KB Toys Inc., Best Buy Co. and Toys "R" Us and mall operators such as Taubman Centers Inc. said the crowds were at least as large as last year's. But analysts said sales Friday may not match the year-ago levels as Americans slash their holiday budgets, even for their own households.

This year, with rampant promotions of up to 70 per- cent off throughout the month, the power of the day after Thanksgiving for the retail industry could be fading.

Janet Hoffman, managing partner of the North American retail practice of Accenture, noted that based on reports from retailers, children's clothing is faring better than adult clothing as parents focus on their kids.

Karen McDonald, spokeswoman at Taubman, which operates malls in several states (including Arizona Mills in Tempe), said sales of pots and pans as well as small appliances like coffee makers did well Friday, indicating people are staying closer to home. Children's apparel also fared well, she added.

Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and chief executive of Macy's Inc., reported about 5,000 shoppers in line at Macy's flagship store in New York for the 5 a.m. opening, at least as many as a year ago.