There are a few stores all across the nation that refuse to be open on the eve of Black Friday.
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Last year, Black Friday weekend sales dropped 11% and shopper traffic was down 5.2%, evidence that promotions on Thanksgiving cannibalize sales later in the weekend. On specific store-wide sales – yes… not specific merchandise.
“Shop Surely” on Black Friday: Before you wait in line for hours or courageous the boisterous crowds, be sure you know what’s really being offered. Video games, game consoles, appliances, toys and clothing round out the deals.
Meanwhile, Walmart is hoping to tamp down over-crowding in its stores by offering the same Black Friday deals online. Once the wristbands are gone, so are the products.
Amazon hasn’t released any specific deals for Black Friday, but in the past it has amped up its offerings for that day and for Cyber Monday, three days later. “Try for instance a search on 40” TV Deals.
Major retailers that will open Thanksgiving Day include Best Buy, Boston Store, Kohl’s and Target. The store will be passing out tickets for its doorbusters.
The belief that sales are short-lived or that items are in limited supply isn’t necessarily true. It’s considered to be the official start of the holiday shopping season, and tens of billions of dollars will be spent by consumers both in stores and online. One retailer stood out for its lack of Black Friday discounts, said spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez. The store usually requires a minimum purchase of $35 for free shipping.
It’s that time of year again – no not Thanksgiving, but Black Friday.
JCPenney also muscled in on the action, opening at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving, which is two hours earlier than a year ago.
Shelly Weidner, Town Center at Cobb spokeswoman, said the mall opens at 6 p.m. Thursday and will remain open through 10 p.m. the following day. “According to Dealnews reports, a no-name 50” flat TV is going to list on Amazon with the price tag of $150. Make sure to check discount sites and websites of your favorite stores.
Vickers said she was wondering what happened to the more simple Christmases of the past, when grandmothers would knit “socks” as gifts as opposed to people wanting the newest gadgets like the Playstation 4. Consumers should take their time and plan ahead for the best rewards of shopping during the holidays.
With stores in recent years using Thanksgiving Day as an extended Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving no longer seems to have the same hype. It’s no wonder the shipping companies are getting anxious.
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Fizzy Bella on North Leroux will have a variety of samples, giveaways and discounts at its Pink Friday sale on Black Friday. At least one chain, privately owned outdoor gear retailer REI, has turned its rejection of Black Friday into its own marketing strategy.
