ARDMORE, OK - While Black Friday isn't an official holiday, it is the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and this year both nationwide chain stores and local shops here at home are hoping more people are looking to spend money with them.

For many shoppers Black Friday means long lines and hours of shopping, all in search of a deal. This year more stores than ever are hoping to attract the bargain shopper by offering doorbusters and extended hours to sales that go on throughout the weekend.

"I think there was a lot more choices this year. A lot of the stores were doing the same things, just different varieties with a little bit of dollar difference," one shopper said.

The retail industry is predicting a more than 2 percent rise in spending this year over last, and shoppers we talked to say for the most part they'll be spending they're money at stores close to home.

"I'm just going to stay here. I think the madness is too much everywhere. We've got enough here to shop, there's plenty around here," a shopper told us.

Local store owner Mary Littleton says while she doesn't see all the madness other retail stores do on Black Friday, she still does plenty of business.

"They're going to shop here anyway, because they're out having fun. It's usually after the morning sales of Black Friday they just come to us for outfits, shopping clothes and actually Christmas shopping. We've really been blessed," Littleton says.

Littleton says while she wasn't hard hit by the recession over the past couple years, it's nice to see more consumers out spending this holiday season.

"We felt it for a minute, but it's coming back. People are really spending. We've broke 14 year records, so we haven't felt it."

And this year for the first time. American Express has declared tomorrow Small Business Saturday in an attempt to get more people to shop locally this weekend.

Online:

http://www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday