By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – What's the go-to item on everyone's list this year? Well, anything and everything electronic.
It seems there's not just one particular item that is getting all the craze this year. Rather, it's a wide variety of items, mostly electronics, which are at the top of everyone's list.
iPods, Wii gaming systems, MP3 players, laptop computers and high definition televisions are among the most popular items in 2007.
"Everything electronics is hot. We've noticed a lot of the flat screen televisions and LCD's selling really well," Tom Harvel, store manager at Wal-Mart in Niles said.
Sales at Wal-Mart began early Friday morning and Harvel said that, while a lot of people filled the isles, there surprisingly wasn't that big of a rush.
"We handled everything ok. Things went very smooth. All of our check-out lines were open and everything went according to plan," assistant manager Cindy Rice said.
At Big Lots, manager Wendell Nemeth said his doors opened at 6 a.m. and by 6:10, over 50 people were in the store.
"We had a great sale on our VCR/DVD combos and those went right away," Nemeth said.
He added that sales at Big Lots continue throughout the day and that another big sale will be taking place today.
Niles residents who headed across the border had a different opinion about the holiday shopping.
Michael and Rebecca Ferrell left Niles around 5 a.m. At 5:30, they said there were lines outside of almost all of the stores.
"Target was the worst. The line started at the front door and went all the way to the back of the parking lot. We didn't even attempt to go there," Rebecca said.
The two did ended up going to Meijer, Old Navy and Wal-Mart, but said it was still busy.
"The line at Old Navy went all the way around the store," she said.
When asked if they got any good deals, Rebecca just laughed.
"We didn't get any deals. There was nothing left. Everything sells out five minutes after the stores open. What's the point of even getting up? People go crazy for this stuff," she said.
Sharon Bricker of Eau Claire was filling her car with gas en route to Mishawaka, Ind. She did not get up early for the sales.
"I get up when I get up and go see what's still left. Most of the stores keep their sales going throughout the day anyway. There's no sense in rushing around trying to beat the crowd. Plus, I usually find better sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas," she said.