(The Center Square) – Amid Black Friday deals like 50% off on books and members-only rewards , Barnes & Noble Fresno Manager Jon Perry welcomed increasing numbers of shoppers in the city’s biggest bookstore.
“Actually, I think it’s been better than the last couple of years,” Perry told The Center Square on Friday. “This morning, when we opened the doors, we had about 90 to 100 people waiting. It reminded me of Black Fridays in the past, kind of pre-pandemic, where we’re a lot busier.”
Shoppers flocked to a retail district that includes Nordstrom Rack, Ulta Beauty, Designer Shoe Warehouse, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ashley Furniture Home Store, Target and Macy’s as part of a national trend of rising shoppers during the post-Thanksgiving weekend.
The National Retail Federation announced last week that a record 186.9 million people nationwide, an increase of more than 3 million from last year, were planning to shop on Black Friday, according to its annual consumer survey.
“The holidays are an important part of many consumers’ budgets, and that trend is especially true this season,” Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights for the National Retail Federation, said in a news release. “As a record number of shoppers are expected this Thanksgiving weekend, retailers are prepared to meet the needs of consumers with great value and convenience.”
Big-box retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Target offered steep discounts on clothes, electronics, furniture and other consumer goods, with Target discounting much of its merchandise by 50% and Walmart offering up to 60% off products from top-selling brands.
Employees told The Center Square on Friday that while those Black Friday deals were only offered on the day after Thanksgiving, many last for days or weeks because they’re available online as well as in the store.
“Just the way we shop now has definitely changed after COVID,” Nicholas Singleton, services experience manager at Best Buy in Fresno, told The Center Square. “We’re seeing that even more so. A lot of it’s going online.”
Many Black Friday deals across the country will be available for the entire five-day holiday shopping weekend, according to the National Retail Federation.
Around 37.5 million shoppers were expected on Thanksgiving Day, followed by 130.4 million shoppers on Friday. Saturday is expected to see 67 million shoppers nationwide, 37.8 million on Sunday and 73.9 million on Monday.
“Many Americans consider shopping to be an important part of their Thanksgiving holiday and one of the best ways to get deals on gifts,” Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategy at Prosper Insights & Analytics, said in the National Retail Federation news release. “Of those planning to take advantage of sales, over half say it’s because the deals are too good to pass up. Others point to the tradition or simply say they like to start their holiday shopping during the long weekend.”
Clothes and accessories were the top items shoppers were interested in in, followed closely by gift cards and toys, according to the National Retail Federation.
