Stores were busy on Black Friday, as deals lured recession-weary consumers out of their homes. The spending was cautious, but the crowds and transactions signaled strength.

Nonetheless, retailers are still concerned that the momentum is only temporary. With consumer spending still under pressure because of high unemployment, there's a risk that holiday shopping may not reach the levels the stores would like to see. The day after Thanksgiving is usually the hottest of the year and can account for close to 20% of annual retail sales.

Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) may be starting to realize that consumer lifestyles sometimes don't fit into the neatly-packaged 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. workday. As such, the leading consumer electronics retailer plans to open its first 24-hour location in NYC's Union Square. What does Best Buy gain by this?

Well, the ability to see if gadget consumers (which we all are in one form or another) need to get their fix at all hours of the day or night. Already, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) ensures its supercenter big-box locations are open 24 hours a day, although it's hard to see consumers scrambling to buy that iPhone charger or flat-screen television at 3:00 am. Still, Best Buy's new 24-hour location will be just a sniff away from Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) 4th Avenue retail location.

Last week, Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) CEO Brad Anderson ceded the throne to 24-year Best Buy vet Brian Dunn, who took over as CEO. Dunn, who started with the largest consumer electronics chain in the U.S. by belting out the theme to Miami Vice to amp up home theater sales in the 1980s, has stated that he wants to "connect" every consumer that steps inside Best Buy's doors. That is, make sure wireless phones, PCs, and home theater become the chain's biggest opportunities. In other words, take advantage of the "three screens of opportunity."