US shoppers flock to secure holiday bargains
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In the United States, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season has begun with millions of people flocking to stores and thousands lining up before dawn.
The kick-off to the shopping season begins the day after Thanksgiving, a day called Black Friday, because that is when retailer's balance sheets usually go into the black.
With the US economy in a nosedive, this year's Black Friday is a crucial litmus test of consumer confidence and stores are offering big discounts to lure shoppers.
But it is unclear whether people will be spending enough to allow retailers to claw their way out of a deepening slump.
Several chains have already filed for bankruptcy.
Meanwhile police say one store worker has died after being pushed to the floor by a throng of unruly shoppers.
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