Sales leading up to holiday mixed

Shoppers descended on stores and malls on Friday in search of post-Christmas bargains as retailers reduced prices further, hoping to recoup business in a season that will likely turn out to be only modestly better than a year ago.

Wal-Mart said Friday sales growth through Dec. 24 continues to be tracking at the low end of its projected range. Upscale retailer Sharper Image raised its earnings outlook on Friday, citing "outstanding preliminary" holiday sales.

Online sales have remained a bright spot: Amazon.com said Friday that it had its busiest holiday season, during which it set a single-day record with more than 2.1 million units ordered, or 24 items per second, worldwide. Designer clothes merchant Bluefly.com had a sales increase of more than 35 percent during the period between Thanksgiving and Dec. 22.

Final holiday same-store sales picture will not be known until Jan. 8.