NEW YORK — The economic picture hasn't looked very rosy: Hiring has been sluggish . Consumers have been dealing with soaring meat prices . Layoffs are rippling through companies.

But despite those concerns, shoppers hit the stores in full strength on Black Friday , with some even sipping champagne as they searched for discounts on the day that traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season .

Just outside New Orleans, shoppers flooded Lakeside Shopping Center to see what deals they could find. The mall offers champagne to Black Friday traditionalists while they shop, as long as they have a receipt of at least $50.

“Sipping and shopping is the best, so I feel like that’s a New Orleans thing to do” said Lacie Lemoine, who was shopping with her grandmother, an annual traditio

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