Get out your sleeping bag; find that lawn chair you packed away for the winter and make some hot coco, Black Friday is coming.

The 2009 holiday season will kick-off its annual shopping lunacy on Friday, Nov. 27.

While much of the country is embroiled in an economic crisis, retailers and shoppers alike are hopeful of a busy holiday season.

“It seems every year has been busy and we don’t expect this year to be any different,” said Ricky Masotta, Best Buy Product Process Manager.

With stores boasting “huge discounts and unbelievable prices” the shopping industry seems resilient to the country’s economic woes.

While major retailers are excited about shopping projections for this year, some independent retailers consider this a make or break season.

Mohammed Ibrahim, owner of Global Nile Trade, has already shut down his Emerald Square and Providence Place Mall locations.

“I’ve condensed a lot of my businesses because of the economy, hopefully this year will be better or we’ll be shut down completely,” said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim sells imported Egyptian goods such as scarabs and hieroglyphic re-creations. He is not only suffering from a decline in consumer shopping, but the value of the U.S. dollar overseas is so low he is spending a significantly higher amount of money on his products.

Wicks ‘n Sticks owner, Kathleen Krikorian, is hoping that this year’s holiday business will at least match last years.

“Everybody is suffering and so are we,” said Krikorian.

While she hopes that business is the same, last year was the worst holiday season she has had in 24 years. In an effort to catch early holiday shoppers she will be opening her doors at 7a.m.

“It has proven worthwhile in the past to open early, so that’s what we’re doing,” said Krikorian.

Wicks 'n Sticks is not the only Warwick Mall store opening early next Friday, the Disney Store will open at midnight and Old Navy will open at 3 a.m.

The Disney Store will be selling reusable shopping bags on Friday only that come with 10 percent off coupons for Saturday.

“That way people can come back Saturday or give the coupon to a friend to use,” said Andrea Couture, store manager.

Best Buy’s annual camp-out craziness will begin whenever people decide to line-up outside, but doors will not open until 5 a.m. After years of dealing with the insanity of this day, Best Buy seems to have its tactics down to a science.

“At 3:30-4:00 we will go outside and start talking to customers. We give out store maps and have tickets for our door buster items, once those tickets are gone we let people know that there are no more of that particular item in the store,” said Masotta.

The store will have balloons that are color coordinated with certain items for easier navigation of the store. They also have extra security and only allow a certain amount of people into the store at a time to maintain crown control.

The term Black Friday, in the shopping sense, dates back to at least 1966 when the Philadelphia Police Department used it to describe the massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks that resulted from the start off shopping season. It has come to mean the day when retail sales for the year go from being in the red or negative to the positive or black.

According to sales projections from the National Retail Federation, holiday sales will be better than last year, but still dismal. They are projected to be the second softest in more than 40 years.

Stores have continued their seasonal hiring to equip themselves for the influx of business, and the numbers are all comparable to last year. Surprisingly, in the wake of Rhode Island’s 13 percent unemployment rate, stores have not seen a higher increase of people looking for work.

What retailers have seen, is people shopping sooner, rather than waiting for that one big day.

“I think a lot of people are shopping early to spread their money out,” said Masotta.

With funds tightening for almost all consumers, shopping a little at a time may seem more manageable. Some people are simply trying to avoid the holiday shopping madness.

“It gets crazy on Black Friday. My daughter gave me a list, I took it to the store and saved probably 50 percent today,” said Cheryl Holland.

Holland is not the only one who would rather be anywhere but shopping next Friday.

“I don’t see the point, all those people, all that time waiting in line. I’d rather just come on Saturday,” said Karen Greene.

Then there is the other side, the people that wait all year long for what they consider to be a festive and joyous day.

“My husband and I get a thrill from running around and snagging deals on electronics and toys,” said Mary Clark.

Disney Store manager Andrea Couture believes that their 12 a.m. opening is the perfect opportunity for moms to leave the kids at home with dad, go out shopping, and return home before anyone even wakes up.

“I love the idea of shopping at night. Then I can enjoy the whole weekend with my family,” said Michelle Traubin.