(pic from Flickr user JSmith Photo)

Post Thanksgiving sales were amazing this year. 247 million people shopped this past weekend. Black Friday online sales topped $1 billion for the first time. According to NBC, more than 35 million Americans visited stores and websites on Thursday. That's up from 29 million last year. 89 million Americans shopped on Black Friday. That's up 3.1% over the 86.2 million who shopped that day last year. Total spending for the weekend rose to $59.1 billion; up from $52.4 billion last year. Shoppers also spent more -- $423 compared to $398 last year. That being said, Post-Thanksgiving sales have never been so violent, as shoppers got into arguments, tug-of-wars and all-out fistfights. Who knew we would need protective gear to shop?! Check out this vid from a Walmart over phone sales.

-Shelly Knight