Nov. 27--Before his first Black Friday excursion to score a $299 laptop computer at Staples, Jerry Phillips of Clarks Summit did his homework, asking store employees what time he should show up.

Told the line starts forming at 2 a.m., he showed up at 1:30 a.m. But he was alone for hours, his teen daughter asleep in the car.

"I was wondering where everyone was," he said.

The crowd eventually showed up, but it was smaller. Shoppers were more focused as they kicked off the holiday shopping season in the midst of one of the worst recessions in memory.

Target played up its flat screen televisions and drew a large crowd for its 5 a.m. opening in Dickson City. The 40-inch televisions were already put into shopping carts for the first arrivals. Getting the 32-inch was more a challenge for Lynn Giorgio, of Dunmore, trying to make the most of getting up at 3 a.m. "Let's just say it was an adventure -- and I had my hand on it first," she said.

As Target manager Fred Moore kept an eye on the checkout lines, he remarked on what people were buying. He noticed that purchases were more practical. Many people had appliances or vacuum cleaners in passing carts. The flat screen televisions, for many, are gifts for the household.

"We are seeing fewer big ticket purchases for individuals and more spending on the household," Mr. Moore said. "A new television is gift for everyone to enjoy."

The lane connecting Commerce Boulevard with the entrance of Walmart and Target in Dickson City was gridlocked by 6 a.m., as early arrivals fought their way out and late comers fought their way in. Some walked up and down the hill on grass and in culverts.

Boscov's opened on Thanksgiving offering free gift cards and prize drawing for 500 people on Thanksgiving and 350 people on Black Friday. Boscov's offered several doorbuster specials with clothing items "buy one and get one for a penny."

But shoppers themselves noticed the lower turnout. Rob Paolis, of Scranton, lingered in a group of about 20 waiting for Radio Shack to open at 5:30 at the Mall at Steamtown.

"It's not nearly as busy," Mr. Paolis said. "Last year, the line here went down to Boscov's."

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