Though the unemployment rate continues to hover at 9 percent, there was an increase in Black Friday sales this year. According to the National Retail Federation, 226 million shoppers visited stores, both virtually and in reality this Black Friday weekend. The National Retail Federation provides an analysis of the retail industry.

According to the website, “the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad.” In the National Retail Federation evaluation, Black Friday weekend included Thursday, Friday, Saturday and expected Sunday spending.

This year’s numbers saw an increase after 2010 saw only 212 million shoppers. The expected budget of shoppers this year was $398.62, an increase from last year’s $365.34, according to the report. Cyber Monday also saw a jump in sales. The Washington Post reported that researchers at IBM Benchmark saw preliminary numbers that showed a 15 percent increase in sales since last year.

The shopping industry is also changing. 7.37 percent of purchases were made on a mobile device, according to Benchmark’s research. This is a 5.12 increase since last year which saw only 2.25 percent of shopping was done on a mobile device. Marketers will now begin to market to its clients and their mobile devices.

The Washington Post reported that Benchmark evaluated its businesses and realized that 80 percent of companies offered some sort of discount, or bargain on Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday. Google Think Insights is a new company that launched mid-November. It is a “one-stop shop for consumer trends, marketing insights and industry research,” according to its website.

The site is primarily geared to businesses who want to increase their marketability among clients and potential business partners. Insights conducts research and analyzes its data. The site then uses these numbers to offer advice to companies in need of tweaking marketing to improve sales.

Buyers will turn to primarily social networking and coupon sites for bargains going into the holiday season, according to Insights research. 74 percent of online purchases will be made on a tablet, while 54 percent will made on a smartphone. Insights expects shoppers to do use their technological devices to complete research regarding their purchases. 55 percent will use the GPS capabilities in their phones, while 47 percent will use the devices to price check different items.

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To get shoppers ready for the Holiday season, Beezid has just announced the Ultimate Shopping Weekend. Beezid kicks off three days of monumental savings on Black Friday, November 25th, with risk-free bidding and a 10% price freeze on all items. Sunday, November 27th will feature a 1% price freeze, and on Cyber Monday, November 28th, Beezid will place an unprecedented 500 items up for bid, all of which will feature free shipping.

Beezid is looking to redefine the overly stressful shopping weekend known as Black Friday/Cyber Monday by eliminating some of the less appealing aspects associated to the holiday weekend such as long lineups and hectic shopping schedules due to restrictive store hours.

Where most stores advertise several deals to get shoppers into the store and provide little else in savings, Beezid’s Ultimate Shopping Weekend offers incredibly low prices on every item, along with the convenience of being able to enjoy guaranteed savings from the comfort of their own home.

“This is going to be a monumental weekend with extraordinary savings on fantastic products,” said Max Bohbot, CEO of Beezid. “This is an important shopping weekend, and our members will experience savings far beyond anything that anyone could find anywhere else. This really is the Ultimate Shopping Weekend, and we are looking forward to holding a series of events that will give everyone the opportunity to walk away with excellent products at astounding prices.”

On Friday, November 25th, beginning at 12AM EST, Beezid will offer guaranteed savings of 90-99%. In addition, every bid placed on every auction will be returned to bidders at the end of each auction. The price freeze and risk-free bidding will run until 11:59PM EST of the same day.

After a one-day break, the excitement begins again at 12AM EST on Sunday, November 27th when Beezid’s Zuper Zunday kicks off 24 hours of 1% price freezes on all items. Savings of 99% are guaranteed on every single auction until 11:59PM EST on that same day.

On Cyber Monday, November 28th, Beezid will offer 500 items up for bid to run throughout the day. Free shipping will be included with each auction win. Throughout the weekend, Beezid will be featuring special locks, ensuring that all who participate will be able to enjoy the event, despite their previous lock limits.

BEEZID.com is a top rated penny auction website which offers a thrilling spin on online auction shopping and one of the most frequently visited and most-trusted sites of its kind world-wide. Since its launch in 2009, Beezid.com has become the leading online auction site for consumers to get top products for up to 99% off the retail price daily in a fun, safe and secure online environment.

Users take advantage of huge discounts on brand new, brand name products by forming bidding strategies and by using bonuses and incentives offered by Beezid.

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Shoppers can once again add destinations to the list of goodies, gadgets and other handsomely priced items offered during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping season.  The Omni Hotels & Resorts “Holiday Treat” limited time offer is back for a second year, offering travelers exceptional values on wonderful winter destinations.

From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, rooms across the brand will range from $79 to $119 in favorite Omni destinations such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, New York, San Francisco and more. Plus, in honor of the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season, Omni will give away 100 room nights to 100 lucky followers at Facebook.com/OmniHotels.

“It’s no secret that Black Friday through Cyber Monday is the biggest holiday shopping period of the year. We wanted to give savvy travelers and loyal guests an opportunity to get a holiday treat from Omni too,” said Caryn Kboudi, vice president, corporate communications for Omni Hotels & Resorts.

Omni’s “Holiday Treat” package is subject to availability, cannot be combined with other special offers and applies only to packages booked between November 25 and November 28, 2011 for stays through January 31, 2012. Sweepstakes winners will be announced December 9, 2011.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on “A Total Departure” to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.

Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company’s “Power of One” associate empowerment program. Earlier this year, Omni’s loyalty program was further expanded with the launch of the GHA Discovery loyalty program expanding numerous benefits on a worldwide basis as a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as Harris Interactive’s most recent EquiTrends report which ranked Omni as the Top Luxury Hotel Brand in 2011.

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