Black Friday Sales Numbers for 2008 are in – and they are up! Black Friday sales were up 3% from 2007. Sales for Friday are estimated at $10.6 billion.

The data comes from ShopperTrak RCT Corp. in a statement Saturday. Where did people spend more?

In the south – 3.4% increase, compared to 2.6% in the north east.

Economists say the important number is not necessarily Friday’s receipts but whether they hold up the rest of the season. Holiday shopping generates 30% of a retailer’s business for the entire year.