Black Friday

Let's hope Cyber Monday is better than Black Friday was:

More shop, spend less on Black Friday

Austin Business Journal

Across the country more shoppers came out during this year’s Black Friday weekend, according the the National Retail Federation, but they spent less money than they did the same day last year.

The retail group estimates about 195 million shoppers nationwide visited stores and Web sites over Black Friday weekend, which it defines as Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Saturday and projected sales on Sunday. That’s up from 172 million shoppers during the same period last year. But this year, the larger number of shoppers spent about $343 per person, compared with $372 per person last year.

“Shoppers proved this weekend that they were willing to open their wallets for a bargain, heading out to take advantage of great deals on less expensive items like toys, small appliances and winter clothes,” said Tracy Mullin, National Retail Federation president and CEO. “While retailers are encouraged by the number of Americans who shopped over Black Friday weekend, they know they have their work cut out for them to keep people coming back through Christmas. Shoppers can continue to expect retailers to focus on low prices and bargains through the end of December.”

About 49 percent of this year’s shoppers visited at least one department store, a 13 percent increase compared with last year. A large number of shoppers, 43 percent, also visited discount retailers this year.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Shop.org, the retail federation’s digital division, found that more Americans plan to shop on Cyber Monday this year — about 96.5 million are estimated, compared with 85 million on the same day in 2008.

“Americans appreciate the convenience of shopping online, which doesn’t require standing in line, circling for a parking spot, or even changing out of your pajamas,” said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org. “Online retailers have been working overtime to make sure their Cyber Monday promotions are enticing, so shoppers can expect incredible bargains on popular holiday items, percentages off entire Web sites, and a lot of free shipping.”

According to Shop.org, about 87 percent of retailers will have special promotions on Cyber Monday, up from 83 percent last year and 72 percent in 2007. Most of those promotions will be on specific deals, as well as one-day sales and free shipping on purchases.

Closed

Our main office is closed today, but if you have service questions, our dispatch office will be open. You can reach them at 877-234-6545.

Happy Thanksgiving

Everyone at A Royal Flush wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Philly Marathon Recap

Philly Marathon Sees 1st US Man to Win Since 2000

By KYW's Matt Leon

The winner of the 2009 Philadelphia marathon hails from Raleigh, North Carolina.

John Crews became the first U.S.-born man to win the Philadelphia Marathon since 2000, racing to victory by more than six minutes on Sunday.

The 25-year-old finished the 26.2 mile course in two hours 17 minutes and 15 seconds. This is his third marathon win, but first here in Philadelphia, and he says he felt like he had a chance coming in:

"I felt like if I had a great day then I could but no matter what time you're running, 26 miles a lot can go wrong. Whether you’re trying to run 217 3 hours 4 hours, a lot can go wrong. So you kind of have to be prepared for anything."

The woman’s winner was 37-year-old Jutta Merilainen of Trenton, Ontario. She finished the course in just under 2 hours and 47 minutes.

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Final Statistics

MEN Name Age From Final Time

1 John Crews 25 Raleigh NC 2:17:15

2 Emory Mort 26 Ghent NY 2:24:31

3 Karl Savage 30 Philadelphia PA 2:26:04

4 Cesar Lizano 27 CRI 2:26:14

5 David Smith 31 Ephrata PA 2:27:33

6 Conor Lanz 24 Brooklyn NY 2:26:46

7 Adam Tenerowicz 24 Blackstone MA 2:26:51

8 Craig Segal 25 Holmdel NJ 2:27:37

9 Mike Carriglitto 34 Philadelphia PA 2:28:30

10 Timothy Mulligan 28 Whiting NJ 2:29:43


WOMEN Name Age From Final Time

1 Jutta Merilainen 37 Kokleo 2:46:44

2 Doreen McCoubrie 48 Malvern PA 2:49:09

3 Muliye Gurmu 25 Silver Spring, MD 2:49:24

4 Mary Bertram 22 Salisbury NC 2:49:35

5 Kristin White 38 Manlius NY 2:53:58

6 Emily Hulme 25 Havertown PA 2:55:06

7 Anne Falcone 31 Charlotte NC 2:56:06

Philadelphia Marathon

This weekend is the Philadelphia Marathon. Be sure to come out Sunday morning to support all the runners. The race starts at the Art Museum, goes down to the Delaware River, through the city to Boat House Row and then out to Manayunk and finishes back at the Art Museum. It will be a chilly morning but a lot of fun!

A Day Late

Sorry for not posting yesterday. In my head it was Thursday and I didn't really realize it was Wednesday until last night. That was not a fun realization... On that note, here is a funny story for you.

Man escapes Shiloh PD, later found at portable toilet

By Nicholas J.C. Pistor

SHILOH — A St. Louis man picked the lock of a Shiloh Police interview room and escaped on Wednesday, but was later apprehended at a nearby construction site’s portable toilet.

Timothy J. Beckham, 20, was first taken into custody on Wednesday at a business along Greenmount Road in Shiloh for suspicious activity, said Gary A. McGill, the assistant Shiloh Police Chief. Beckham was questioned for suspicion of child endangerment and was suspected of being under the influence of narcotics, police said. Beckham’s 5 month-old daughter was with him at the time of arrest and is now in the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Police said Beckham was arrested within 30 minutes after a resident noticed and reported a suspicious person walking into a portable toilet at a nearby construction site.

(story from St. Louis Today)

Reminder

I know I mentioned this before but Winterization is important enough to mention it again!

It is hard to believe but the holidays are right around the corner. And with the holiday season comes colder weather and even.....SNOW!!!!

Cold weather and freezing temperatures can be a challenge when it comes to temporary and outdoor restroom facilities. Winterizing is important if you want to keep your job site running during the winter months.

So, as the weather outside gets frightful, expect to hear from your A Royal Flush customer service representative about winterizing your site's equipment.

Feel free to contact us at (877) 234-6545 with any questions you may have.

Be Careful

This weekend if you live near the shore. Remnants of Tropical Storm Ida are pounding the coasts, causing flooding at the New Jersey and Delaware Beaches. You can follow the storms progress here from the Weather Channel.

Veterans' Day

Today is Veteran's Day. Click here to find out what this holiday is really about.

Top 10

Here is a clip of Meb Keflezighi on David Letterman, doing the Top 10:

Have a great weekend!!

Congrats

Uli Seit for The New York Times

Congratulations to Meb Keflezighi, left, who became the first American man to win the NYC Marathon since 1982 and Derartu Tulu, who it the first Ethiopian woman to capture New York's laurel crown.

We would also like to congratulate the other 43,000 participants of last weekends New York City Marathon. You should be so proud of your accomplishment.

Daylight Savings

Today is Daylight Savings, so be sure to "Fall Forward" by moving your clocks ahead one hour.