The frenzy of shopping on Black Friday was not as action-packed as previous years. Earlier opening times and advanced preparations by stores seemed to ease the anxiety that comes with the biggest shopping day of the year.
Many retail stores across the country, such as Kohl’s and Target, opened as early as 8pm on Thanksgiving. Kmart even opened at 6am on Thanksgiving morning.
Shoppers agreed the early openings were a good marketing strategy to attract more business. Although this may be true, others believe Thanksgiving is not a typical shopping day and should be used for other purposes.
Store clerks said the shifts were more bearable this year compared to others because the crowds were not as overwhelming.
An unnamed Kohl’s associate said it was a bummer to have to work the night of a holiday, but it was also nice because the crowds seemed to come and go in groups throughout the night.
She labeled the three groups as the “Crazies” who were lined up outside in the cold at 8, the “Night Owls” who came in the middle of the night, and the “Patient People” who waited to come during the mid morning of Friday.
In years past, reports of people getting trampled were common as the “Crazies” fought over limited products in the opening hours. However, this year, no reports have been heard of.
A Wal-Mart associate said that the extent of outrageous shoppers were those people who had their hands on boxes reserving electronics while workers cut off the plastic shrink wrap as the clock turned 8.
Greenwood resident Heather Lyell said she didn’t know of any “hot ticket items” this year, but as usual there were good deals on electronics, Keurig coffee makers and other pricey luxuries.
She was at the Kohl’s in Greenwood when it opened on Thursday night, but she didn’t go with the mindset of buying anything.
Lyell returned home after two and a half hours with not only Christmas gifts for others, but items for her recently purchased house. In the time she spent in the store, she saved $785.81 on her purchases with the Black Friday deals.
Heather Lyell saved $785.81 while shopping on Black Friday.
According to her, the lines were all the way to the back of the store, but clerks were making a special offer to cut the entire line to those willing to open a Kohl’s charge. Even those who were not eligible to get a new charge card due to credit were still able to cut the line and buy their items without having to wait.
Franklin resident Abby Robertson waited until the crowds mellowed out around 8am on Friday before she headed out. According to Robertson, she stayed at the Franklin Wal-Mart and Kohl’s because she didn’t want to get into the larger crowds around the Greenwood area. The deals remained the same from the opening the night before so she was in a win- win situation with chilled crowds and super savings.
Macy’s associate Rhonda said the shopping frenzy is not over just because Black Friday is over. She expects the month of December to be busy, especially with the Friends and Family 25% Off sale the coming weekend and extended holiday hours.
With positive feedback from many shoppers, they’re hoping the stores continue to open early in the years to come. Others will remain feasting around the dinner table on Thanksgiving steering clear of the crowds.
The Electron Online 