Black Friday Shoppers Out in Force, but Cautious

By Anne D'Innocenzio

NEW YORK -- Shoppers, who had snapped their wallets shut since September, flocked to stores before dawn Friday to grab deals on everything from TVs to toys for the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, feared to be the weakest in decades.

Retailers extended their hours -- some opening at midnight -- and offered deals that promised to be deeper and wider than even the deep discounts that shoppers found throughout November.

The rush turned tragic in Valley Stream, N.Y., when a 34-year-old Wal-Mart (WMT Quote) employee was trampled and later died as shoppers rushed the store's doors. ...