Lower-than-ever Black Friday prices on toys, apparel, electronics and appliances had many Americans leaving the Thanksgiving dishes in the sink, and heading to the stores to wait in line as early as 7 p.m. Thursday night. Retailers in all sectors have reported strong crowds, with high-definition televisions, laptops, winter coats and Zhu-Zhu pets among the most popular items.

"Retailers came out swinging for Black Friday, offering some of the holiday season's lowest prices on electronics, appliances, apparel and toys," said Tracy Mullin, president and CEO, National Retail Federation (NRF). "Budget-focused shoppers seemed to be pleasantly surprised with post-Thanksgiving deals, which many retailers will extend into Saturday and even Sunday."

The NRF estimates that holiday sales will decrease 1.0 percent this year to $437.6 billion. The NRF's holiday sales forecast is based on an economic model using indicators like housing data, unemployment and previous monthly retail sales reports, and includes retail industry sales from November and December.

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution, including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores, as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. The NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees -- about one in five American workers -- and 2008 sales of $4.6 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, it also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. For more information, visit www.nrf.com.