Black Friday Shoppers Flock to Stores for Motivating Deals
The allure of deep discounts and freebies continues to draw shoppers to brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday, a day that remains a cornerstone of the holiday shopping season despite the rise of online retail.
Retailers Roll Out the Red Carpet for Black Friday Shoppers
Across the United States, retailers large and small are strategically employing Black Friday deals to lure consumers back to physical stores. Department stores, shopping malls, and online retailers alike see the day after Thanksgiving as a prime opportunity to energize shoppers and encourage them to experience the excitement of in-person shopping.
While e-commerce has undoubtedly transformed the retail landscape, retail experts maintain that Black Friday remains the busiest shopping day of the year for U.S. retail stores.
Manhattan’s Macy’s Sees Steady Stream of Shoppers
Earlier Friday, Macy’s Herald Square in Manhattan bustled with shoppers eager to capitalize on Black Friday deals. The store’s luxury bedding department offered enticing discounts of up to 50% off shoes and bags, as well as special occasion dresses, drawing in a steady flow of customers.
Mother-Daughter Duo Embraces Black Friday Tradition
Keressa Clark, a 50-year-old nurse from Wilmington, North Carolina, and her 27-year-old daughter, Morghan, embarked on a pre-dawn journey to New York City to experience the energetic atmosphere of Black Friday. Arriving at 6:15 a.m, they headed straight to Macy’s, a store not available in their hometown.
“We don’t have a Macy’s where we live,” Morghan Clark explained.
Confidence and Optimism Drive Holiday Spending
Keressa Clark expressed a renewed sense of optimism about the economy, attributing it to the impending return of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. She plans to spend $2,000 this holiday season, a significant increase of $500 from last year’s budget.
“I don’t care if prices rise next year because of Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs on foreign goods,” Clark stated. “I fully support anything that encourages American manufacturing.”
Holiday Sales Expected to be Strong, Though Not Record-Breaking
Analysts predict that the holiday shopping season will yield healthy sales figures, though not quite reaching the impressive heights of last year. Many shoppers remain cautious with discretionary spending, despite generally easing inflation.
Post-Pandemic Shopping Habits Linger
While Black Friday continues to draw crowds, the massive shopper turnout of previous years has yet to fully return since the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier Friday, only half the parking spaces at a Walmart in Germantown, Maryland, were occupied, suggesting that some shoppers might be opting for online shopping or prioritizing essential items like groceries.
Accidental Black Friday Shopper Scores a Deal
Bharatharaj Moruejsan, a 35-year-old software engineer, is not typically a Black Friday shopper. However, after returning from a month-long vacation with his family and experiencing jet lag, he decided to check out the deals at Walmart. He snagged a significant bargain, purchasing an iPad for his one-year-old daughter at $250, a substantial discount from its original price of $370.
“It’s a good deal,” Moruesan said.
What tactics are retailers using to draw shoppers to physical stores on Black Friday?
## Interview with Retail Analyst on Black Friday Sales
**Intoduction:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the holiday shopping season kickoff, Black Friday, and the continued appeal of brick-and-mortar shopping. Joining us is retail analyst Sarah Thompson. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**Sarah Thompson:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Black Friday has always been known for its deep discounts and doorbuster deals. Do you think those tactics are still as effective in drawing shoppers to physical stores in this age of online shopping?
**Sarah Thompson:** Absolutely. While online shopping offers convenience, there’s still a strong allure to the in-person shopping experience, especially on Black Friday.
The excitement of crowds, the thrill of the hunt, and the instant gratification of having your purchases in hand are unique draws for many shoppers.
[[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2024/11/29/black-friday-2024/76571356007/)]
**Host:**
That makes sense. And we’ve seen major retailers like Macy’s pulling out all the stops with significant discounts and promotions.
Are they seeing the results they hoped for?
**Sarah Thompson:**
Anecdotal evidence suggests they are. We’re hearing reports of strong foot traffic at major department stores like Macy’s, even from shoppers traveling specifically for the Black Friday experience. Take the example of the mother-daughter duo from North Carolina who travelled to New York City for specific deals at Macy’s. This highlights the commitment some shoppers have to this traditional shopping experience.
[[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2024/11/29/black-friday-2024/76571356007/)]
**Host:** That’s fascinating. Do you think this resurgence in brick-and-mortar shopping for Black Friday signals a larger shift in consumer behavior?
**Sarah Thompson:**
It’s a bit too early to say definitively. While Black Friday traditionally marks the start of the holiday shopping season, we need to observe trends throughout the season to see if this brick-and-mortar momentum continues.
However, I wouldn’t discount the importance of experience-driven retail. Consumers are increasingly looking for more than just convenient transactions.
They crave excitement and interaction. Black Friday, with its energy and deals, is a great example of that.
**Host:** Excellent points, Sarah. We appreciate your insights.
Thank you for joining us today.
**Sarah Thompson:**
My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
