SPANISH FORT, Ala. — It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas for area retailers, and thankfully, not like the one in 2009.

“Nationally, we’re seeing a 2 to 3 percent increase in sales, but we’re predicting even more here,” said Kristen Kammer-Hattox, marketing director at the Eastern Shore Centre.

“Our stores have been doing very well, and I think people are getting a little more comfortable with the economy which is slowly, slowly growing,” she said.

And while shoppers can expect deep discounts and special Black Friday deals the day after Thanksgiving — for specific offerings see easternshorecentre.com — Kammer-Hattox said the management is really pushing the experience and letting the individual stores drive their own traffic with coupons, extended hours and family-friendly events.

“We’re doing a lot of things on the weekends. We’ve got the St. Jude fundraiser walk Saturday, Santa’s already here (at the fountain) and the tree lighting ceremony is set for (this) afternoon,” she said. “We’re trying to remind people that you can come here and do it all: get your shopping done, eat dinner, have the kids’ pictures taken with Santa and see a great movie. It’s really about just getting out here and being together as a family.”

Of course, the shopping center isn’t the only game in town when it comes to the Black Friday push, so called because it is traditionally viewed as the day when retailers nationwide shift into the “black” with high-volume sales.

Bass Pro Shops, for instance, will offer its fourth annual Great Turkey Campout.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and allow patrons to camp out in the parking lot overnight ensuring they’re first in line to enter the store Black Friday.

It might sound a little harsh just to save a few dollars, but with door prizes, hot chocolate, coffee and smores around fire pits for the first three hours, Bass Pro organizers are pretty sure they’ve sweetened the deal.

Seasoned Black Friday shopper Susie Holland will not spend the evening outdoors, but she said it feels like she might as well, considering how early she leaves her Daphne home to scout the best deals in town.

“I love it, and I hate it,” Holland said. “But I have a feeling (retailers) are going to be a little more generous with their sales this year, and I just can’t pass that up. I may not get it all done, but I’m going to try.”

And according to figures compiled by AAA, Holland won’t be alone on the road. Thanksgiving holiday travel is expected to increase 11.4 percent in 2010 to 42.2 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles from home.

By contrast, holiday travel increased by only .2 percent in 2009, one year after it plunged 25.2 percent. The 2010 Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Nov. 24-28.

“While Americans remain cautious with household budgets and discretionary spending amidst high levels of unemployment, many are in a better financial position this Thanksgiving than a year ago,” said AAA Alabama spokesperson Clay Ingram. “This improvement, along with a strong desire to spend time with friends and family, is expected to propel a significant increase in Thanksgiving travel.”