While Black Friday revenues were up from last year, retailers are just getting a quick high. The crash starts tomorrow.

On the one hand, shoppers took advantage of new and expanded deals and doorbusters and bought on average of 7% more. On the other, for many it marked the end of their holiday shopping, rather than the beginning. In addition, the discounts were so steep, and stacked on already marked-down prices, it seems likely that overall holiday numbers will be down by the time Santa makes his run.

Good news for the makers of googly eyes* as home-made gifts are in this year.

Deep Discounts Draw Shoppers, but Not Profits [NYT] (Photo: Mr. Dtb)

*Just about anything can be improved with googly eyes, including plants.