Black Friday is traditionally the kick-off to the holiday shopping season, but this year retailers have started their sales early.
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What is it about consumers that they’ll get up at 3 a.m. and stake
out a spot in a freezing parking lot just to nab a great deal on a
TV?
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Black Friday is the dreaded day for store employees all over the
nation, and the day millions of Americans anticipate all year.
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The day after Thanksgiving offers great deals from hundreds of
retailers. Just two years ago, an employee of Walmart in Long
Island was trampled to death by eager shoppers.
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It’s the official kickoff to Christmas shopping, and many stores
have great offers this holiday season. Be sure you’re ready for
Black Friday shopping!
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1. Don’t wait. Several large chains started sales
early. Target, Sears and Amazon have reportedly started their
holiday sales already.
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JC Penny and Walmart also plan to jump on the early Black Friday
specials before the actual day, so why wait?
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Toys R Us just announced they’re starting their sale on
Thanksgiving night at 10 p.m.
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The National Retail Federation predicts 40 percent of holiday
shoppers will hit stores before Black Friday, so don’t let them
beat you to the punch! Get out there yourself and grab a great
deal.
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2. Go early. I guess some people just like the
thrill of not going to bed and heading out hours before the sun
makes its appearance.
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“It’s a family tradition for me,” said Blake Moran of Athens. “We
always got up early on Black Friday growing up to do our Christmas
shopping. Now, it’s something I do for myself. I can find
electronics for myself cheaper that day than any other.”
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Make sure you head to the websites of the stores you plan to hit up
that day to ensure you’re one of the first there, before the
merchandise is gone.
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To name a few, Black Friday sales begin at: Khols at 3 a.m., Sears
and Target at 4 a.m., Walmart and Best Buy at 5 a.m., Radio Shack
at 5:30 a.m., Lowes and Staples at 6 a.m.
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3. Do your research. Don’t just hop out of your
car expecting to stumble upon a great deal.
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Look around beforehand and know exactly what you want before you
look for it.
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“Sites like bfads.net show great deals for Black Friday, and have
listed ads of a variety of stores,” said my brother, Nathan
Bartlett, the avid Black Friday shopper in our family.
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I personally like Black-Friday.net. They also show the latest ads
for the top stores around the country with the best deals.
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4. Do it online. Many stores will give you the
same deals online that they will in stores. That site
(Black-Friday.net) keeps an updated list with the stores with
current online holiday deals.
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“Last year I waited until the day after Thanksgiving to get this
cute black dress I saw at Old Navy,” said North Alabama resident
Makenze Doucette. “Only I went online that morning instead. I
avoided the long lines and chaos, and still got it half off, which
is what it was going for in stores that day.”
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Fighting the crowds might sound like a chore, so stay in your
pajamas at home and surf the web for the right deal.
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5. Don’t forget about Cyber Monday. In case you
miss out on these great Black Friday deals, you’ve still got that
last chance to brag to your friends about a great find on Cyber
Monday.
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Making its grand debut in 2005, Cyber Monday is becoming a newer
trend for consumers of all ages.
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“I got my GPS on Amazon for 50 percent off on Cyber Monday two
years ago,” Bartlett said.
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According to comScore, $887 million was spent last year on the
Monday after Thanksgiving in the U.S., making it the heaviest
online spending day on record.
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Retailers know the online shopping industry is growing, and
they’re cashing in and offering great deals to consumers, so take
advantage!