With the holiday season coming up, many stores are starting to prepare for Black Friday on November 25th, the most hectic and economically influential day of the year. Millions of people line up around buildings on Thanksgiving night to score the best deal on electronics, home decor, entertainment, and even more.
A lot of big companies such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Marshall’s/ TJ Maxx/ Home-Goods, slash prices on their merchandise to attract shoppers.
Most people either love Black Friday for all the deals on store items or they hate the entire event as a whole. One reason why people dislike Black Friday is that it could cut into Thanksgiving time with their family. Another reason is that Black Friday is chaotic or its just not worth the hassle of waiting in lines or in traffic just to buy things.
Statistically, people spend more on new electronics such as T.V.s, DVRs, computers, game consoles, and cameras opposed to other items like clothing and home decor.
According to Thebalance.com about 102 million people participated in the shopping event in 2015. The number of people who shop has gradually declined through the years. In 2012, around 147 million people participated and in 2013, 140.3 million people participated.
Colonia High School senior, Elena Remite, a worker for Marshall’s, said, ” Marshall’s has sales all year round so we don’t have many special sales that day, however we do expect to have a busier flow of customers that day.”
The amount of money spent per person has been decreasing over the years as well. In 2011, one person would spend $398.00 but last year the average amount spent per person was about $299.60.
The reason the participation and sales have been decreasing over time is the event known as Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is just like Black Friday, except that instead of people leaving their house they can go online to big business websites like Target, Amazon and Walmart to buy products. This is more convenient for people because they don’t have to leave their home, wait on lines, and deal with all the hysteria on Friday.
Could Black Friday potentially fade away? Many retail stores are beginning to start putting their merchandise on sale earlier and earlier every year. There are even some stores that begin their sales days before.
Not only retail stores have deals on items, car dealerships will use incentives as well to try and sell their last year model vehicles like offering zero financing for the first three months or offering $500 bonus cash towards the purchase of a vehicle.
Black Friday used to be somewhat dangerous for people years ago when there was less security and control. People would rush into the stores trampling each other to grab what they wanted. Now most if not all stores have security detail on duty during Black Friday to control crowds and stop any potential fights at the store.
There is however a drawback to stores during the event when it comes to theft. Due to the chaos, theft is almost imminent in every store. Most commonly people will steal smaller items that can be easily concealed. For example, clothing items such as shirts, scarfs, hats etc. Makeup and beauty products and small electronics and accessories like digital cameras, phones, Ipods , phone cases and any other gadgets and accessories that are small enough to hide in a bag, purse or inside clothing.
Nicole, an asset protection specialist for Best Buy commented, “Best Buy started preparing for Black Friday in the beginning of November. Inventory begins receiving shipments 5-6 times a week to stock up on items.”
Nicole also added, “Since I work as an Asset Protection Specialist for Best Buy on any given day my job is to prevent theft and ensure safety but for Black Friday we’ll do things differently. We’ll maximize our Asset Protection staff so there is at least four in the store. On a normal occasion there is usually only one per shift. We won’t be using our email receipt option therefore we can more effectively check customers receipts to make sure they haven’t added nothing else to their bags. Also, Best Buy caters food for all of its employees on Black Friday because our shifts are so long that day. They don’t want employees going out and trying to maneuver the parking lot on their lunch break. It’s their mechanism of keeping their employees safe as well as the customers”.
Some of the best deals around are at Best Buy if you are looking for electronics, appliances and entertainment. They offer up to 40% off on major appliances, and sales on laptops, camera, speakers and game consoles. Target also has great deals on T.Vs and entertainment products such as headphones, CD’s and DVD’s. If you are looking for clothing and accessories the best stores to go to are, Marshall’s, Boscov’s department store, Macy’s department store, Kohl’s, JC Penny’s and Old Navy.
Its important to prepared to wait on long lines in the cold if you plan on shopping Thanksgiving night. Wear warm clothing because you will be waiting on lines outside for awhile before the stores open their doors
When or if you go Black Friday shopping ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others. Be patient while waiting on lines outside. Remain calm and respect others around you. when you are let into stores don’t rush in you will be kicked out if you do in most stores. Some people fight over items in the store, there’s no reason to fight when its a first come first serve system. Finally you should always drive safe, there’s most likely going to be some traffic so it important to stay calm and drive safe on Black Friday.
According to Dealnews.com the top products expected to sell the most this year are apple products, Televisions, toys, makeup and beauty products, shoes and home goods/house wear.
Black Friday is a great day to buy holiday presents for the family at the best price especially for kids when many stores have sales on toys and games. You can always find something for someone on Black Friday for a price that can’t be beat.
