Black Friday shoppers start early

As always in the USA, iOS beat out Android in mobile shopping this holiday season.

But there were enough reports of sparse crowds on Thanksgiving and Black Friday at the likes of Target (TGT – Get Report), Walmart (WMT – Get Report) and others to suggest consumers did more of their shopping online this year.

Shoppers were out and about Friday at the Panama City Mall. “It’s more of an experience because while you’re there on Cyber Monday you’re literally sitting at a computer”, said George Karidis of Holland, Pa. “It’s better to go around, and see what fits you”.

Retail NZ spokesman Gary Harford said Black Friday sales were growing in popularity here.

“We do a lot more online shopping too”, he said.

Some shoppers were out to get deals on Christmas presents for their family.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, says the majority of Black Friday deals “aren’t special” and advises shoppers to cross-check them with items they actually need. Keeping that in mind, there’s no doubt that over the next few years the autumnal shopping event will become more streamlined and appealing, constituting the start of the Christmas shopping period, allowing shoppers to reap the benefits with better offers and longer sales.

Either way, online shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday solves a major problem for many consumers: The hassle of facing the throngs cramming the bricks-and-mortar stores.

The Duluth resident planned on hitting some other stores, but she didn’t consider herself a rabid bargain hunter of Black Friday deals.

Cyber Monday deals from Dealzon.

“He’s really quite patient and good, going shopping with us ladies”, Hoeun joked.

“The excitement continued into Thursday as reports of long lines outside stores on Thanksgiving and Black Friday were matched by reports of record-breaking online sales”, said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, in a news release.

She said discounting levels online averaged 26 and 24 percent on both days respectively, and remained similar to last year’s levels.

The National Retail Federation estimates almost 136 million Americans will shop in stores during the four day weekend. In direct contradiction to the chaotic depictions of Black Friday, many of Greenville’s stores were all but empty. While UK retailers have successfully copied numerous event’s features, they haven’t yet managed to turn it into a bank holiday. “They gave me a free blanket”, said Noah Lovejoy of Olney Philadelphia.

“Over the past several years, retailers have begun their holiday price promotions progressively sooner, not waiting for the traditional Black Friday day to begin offering price discounts”, said Chris Christopher, director of consumer economics at IHS Global Insight.