Even in an era of shopping where you can buy anything, anywhere, anytime from your phone or laptop, some San Diegans woke up before the sun to get personalized deals on Black Friday.
While there wasn’t a mad dash for merchandise or lodging outside stores, the shoppers who did show up came with a budget and a specific item in mind.
For Jake Naso, it’s a new pair of speakers for his first apartment. After celebrating Thanksgiving with his family in La Costa, he drove on zero hours of sleep and pure excitement to be among the first shoppers at Best Buy in Encinitas.
Like many consumers this season, he previously did research online. Besides wanting the personal shopping experience, he primarily came for the best price he could find.
“I just want two speakers and a subwoofer,” said the 21-year-old. “And so if I can’t find better priced speakers here, I’m just not going to get any. I’m just going to get them from Amazon.”
Jake Naso arrived just before Best Buy in Encinitas opened, hoping to find a good sale on speakers.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
About 166.3 million people plan to shop over the Thanksgiving weekend through Cyber Monday, according to a report from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s a record high and 8 million more people than last year, as shoppers are eager to gather in person and get discounts.
A majority of these deal hunters — 69 percent — plan to shop on Black Friday, an annual event where stores trumpet deals to boost their bottom lines during the holidays.
Among the eager shoppers were Pamella Borges and Joao Neves, who were part of a handful of people queuing up before 9 p.m. 5 a.m. outside the Best Buy in Encinitas. The first Black Friday customers arrived wearing scarves, a beanie and sweatpants with the goal of getting a flat screen TV for no more than $500.
Neves came earlier this week to check the sale prices on TVs at Best Buy and was surprised to see the discount was the same when he came Friday.
In recent years, Best Buy, like many other retailers, has spread Black Friday deals over an entire week to create a wider net of opportunities for people to shop, said Miro Copic, a marketing expert and professor at San Diego State University . He added that retailers typically offer flashy Black Friday discounts on certain items to draw customers into the store and then tap into people adding more impulse purchases to the cart.
The couple ended up walking out with a 55-inch Samsung TV and a deep fryer for their new apartment.
For seasoned Black Friday shoppers like Alex Escobar, the expanded deals were no surprise. What was shocking to the 21-year-old was how few people braved the morning to hunt for bargains.
Escobar lives within walking distance of the store and wound his way into Best Buy to grab a pair of discounted gaming headphones.
“In years past, we’ve seen people have their Thanksgiving from El Pollo Loco the day before, with a small table camped out trying to get a deal on a TV,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy that there’s no one here.”
A few years ago, he camped outside Game Stop for five days to be the first in line for a PlayStation 5 gaming console. But as a seasoned bargain hunter, he doesn’t get caught up in the hype of Black Friday sales unless it matches the number in his head.
“If something is expensive and then it’s $20 off, I’m not going to buy it because it’s Black Friday,” he said. “I’d be looking more for something, you know, $50 or $100 off.”
Alex Escobar used a blanket to stay warm while shopping the early morning hours of Best Buy’s Black Friday sale, hoping to find a good deal on gaming headphones.
(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Despite inflation reaching historic highs — it has recently slowed but is still up 8.2 percent on the year — shoppers are still making a point to shop now.
“While there is much speculation about the impact of inflation on consumer behavior, our data tells us that this Thanksgiving holiday weekend will see robust store traffic with a record number of shoppers taking advantage of value pricing,” said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay . “We are optimistic that retail sales will remain strong in the coming weeks and retailers are ready to meet consumers wherever they want to shop with great products at prices they want to pay.”
Businesses aren’t the only ones feeling happy about Christmas shopping.
Consumers are feeling upbeat about the holiday season compared to the past few years, which were hampered by the pandemic. About 40 percent of the more than 1,000 American consumers that McKinsey & The company said they intend to spend more on gifts for themselves or others this year.
That was true for Diane Reese, who walked out of Kohl’s in Encinitas with a few flannels for herself and more baby clothes for her grandson. She figured $10 for a soft pink onesie that the baby would outgrow in a few months was too good to pass up.
“It’s not my first Black Friday rodeo,” said Reese, who came from Colorado to visit his brother for Thanksgiving.
“I actually enjoy getting in and touching things … And sometimes you spend more when you look around. I wasn’t looking for a blankie, but I see, wow for $8? You can’t beat that,” said she, holding her pink Minnie Mouse blanket.
Inside the department store, Kohl’s advertised Black Friday deals that have been running all week along with pink signs featuring one-day-only “Flash Steals,” such as 50 percent off workout clothes and half-price Disney princess toys. Next to the place where customers can return Amazon packages was a storage rack filled with online order pickups.
Reese added that this Black Friday shopping experience is much calmer than previous years, and she pointed out that more people are likely shopping online.
Most stores have shaken off the supply chain back-ups that plagued last year, but it has continued to shape current shopping habits. This year, many retailers have inventory ready to go months in advance and are itching to move it.
Therefore, people can expect more discounts on items such as clothing and computers, Copic said.
Consumers have also shopped earlier this year, and retail consumption in October rose 1.3 percent compared to a year ago.
“It means people spend like drunken sailors,” Copic said. “That’s a really robust level of consumption, even taking inflation into account.”
Copic said the overall strengthened stance on spending stems from low unemployment, increases in wages and many households actively saving money over the past two years.
The National Retail Federation predicts that retailers could see holiday sales grow between 6 and 8 percent.
We’ll continue to update this piece with tips for getting the most out of Prime Day 2022. It’s official: This year, Prime Day will be on the 12th-13th. July. Although Prime Day is typically a two-day event, we expect some deals to go live the day before, as well as a few sales the weekend before the big event.
Is Apple doing Black Friday deals?
Apple’s current Black Friday deal offers a gift card with every purchase of an eligible product. For example, when you buy certain iPhone models or the Apple Watch SE, you get a $50 Apple gift card; AirPods come with a $75 Apple gift card, and MacBooks qualify for a $250 Apple gift card.
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What is the best time to shop on Black Friday?
The best time to shop on Black Friday is early in the morning. The best offers and doorbusters start already from 05.00, while some shops open their doors even earlier.
Do prices drop on Black Friday? Are the prices actually lower? The answer – yes. On average, in-store discounts drop to about 20 percent during Thanksgiving week and rise to about 37 percent savings on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Online Black Friday deals follow suit with an average discount of 34 percent.
How long is Black Friday 2022?
Black Friday is directly followed by Cyber Monday on November 28, 2022. Technically, Black Friday ends as soon as Cyber Monday begins. The best discounts are usually limited to these two days (and the weekend between them); however, some offers stick around until the end of the following week.
How long will Black Friday last?
How long does the Black Friday sale last? Just because today is officially Black Friday doesn’t mean deals end at midnight. Experts said we will continue to see sales throughout the weekend and through Cyber Monday. Some deals even extend through Cyber Week, which refers to the week after Cyber Monday.
How long is Amazon’s Black Friday?
Amazon’s Black Friday event started on Thursday, November 24 and runs through Friday, November 25. Cyber Monday spans three days at Amazon, from Saturday, November 26 to Monday, November 28.
Is there a Black Friday in April 2022?
When is Spring Black Friday 2022? This year, Black Friday Spring starts on April 7, 2022. The Spring Black Friday Sale runs for 14 days.
How do I get the best out of Black Friday?
Check the return and price match policies in advance to help you decide where to shop.
- Check ads and apps.
- Do your research well in advance of Friday.
- Look for Early-Bird Shopper discounts.
- Plan where you will shop.
- Come prepared and ask for a price match.
- Ask for gift vouchers.
- Be careful paying with a credit card on Black Friday.
Is it better to shop before or on Black Friday?
“Get ready to shop the Black Friday deals on the Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving,” says Kristin McGrath, managing editor of the deals and cashback site RetailMeNot. “Being ready gives you the best chance of getting the lowest prices on popular items before they sell out.”
Do deals get better closer to Black Friday?
Although there are some great deals for people looking to get into the festive spirit, it’s better to wait until just before or even better after Christmas. This is when the prices are really slashed and you can stock up for the 2023 holiday.
Is it better to shop before or on Black Friday?
“Get ready to shop the Black Friday deals on the Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving,” says Kristin McGrath, managing editor of the deals and cashback site RetailMeNot. “Being ready gives you the best chance of getting the lowest prices on popular items before they sell out.”
Do deals get better closer to Black Friday?
Although there are some great deals for people looking to get into the festive spirit, it’s better to wait until just before or even better after Christmas. This is when the prices are really slashed and you can stock up for the 2023 holiday.
What is the best day of the week to buy from Amazon?
But for our data analysis, Monday turned out to be the strongest. As of June 2022, Mondays have the highest traffic and highest sales. Shoppers follow patterns throughout the week, and after pulling data from Shoppers follow patterns throughout the week, and after pulling data from 116 million clicks, we find that Mondays are the best days.
How often does Amazon put items on sale? The retail giant offers sales and offers every day of the year. For each category of products, there is a time of the year when prices are cut. When you know what’s on sale every month of the year, you always pay the lowest price. No one has time to track down Amazon products and wait for the price to drop.
Is everything discounted on Prime Day?
Simply put, Amazon Prime Day is a marathon of deals that lasts 48 hours. The sale spans all categories, including beauty, apparel, kitchen/family room, electronics and more – and the discounts are deep.
What day is Prime Day 2022 October?
Amazon Prime Day is back! Last month, the e-commerce giant announced that the second Amazon Prime Day in 2022 would take place on the 11th-12th. October. Well, the long awaited day has arrived and the sale does not disappoint.
How many Amazon prime days are there in a year?
Amazon usually holds Prime Day once a year, and it’s typically scheduled for July. This is the first year Amazon is hosting two big sales for its members.
Will there be another Amazon Prime Day 2022?
The second Amazon Prime Day of 2022 falls on October 11 and October 12. As usual, the sale is scheduled to last two full days.
What is Amazon’s big sale day called?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| Prime Day 2019 | Monday and Tuesday 15.-16. July |
| Prime Day 2018 | Monday and Tuesday 16.-17. July |
Is Amazon Prime Day worth it?
Is Prime Early Access worth it? It all depends. For some items, Prime member-exclusive event prices tend to be some of the lowest we see all year. This applies in particular to Amazon hardware, such as Kindles, Fire Tablets and Echo devices, but there are other factors to consider.
Are items cheaper on Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is a 48-hour deal event that offers discounts on thousands of products. Amazon had two Prime Day 2022 sales – one in July and then the Prime Early Access sale in October.
What’s the benefit of Prime Day?
Learn more about its origins and find out how you can prepare to shop next year. Amazon’s annual Prime Day event offers Prime members deals on products from top national brands and third-party sellers across categories—from fashion and electronics to toys and home.
How long do Black Friday deals usually last?
Black Friday is directly followed by Cyber Monday on November 28, 2022. Technically, Black Friday ends as soon as Cyber Monday begins. The best discounts are usually limited to these two days (and the weekend between them); however, some offers stick around until the end of the following week.
Should I wait until Black Friday to buy a TV? As we said earlier, you can find a good TV sale any time of the year. However, Black Friday TV deals tend to break all price records, and 2022 looks like no exception. 55-inch 4K TV: Hats off to Best Buy for offering some of the best Black Friday TV deals of the season last year.
How long are Amazon Black Friday deals?
Amazon’s Black Friday event started on Thursday, November 24 and runs through Friday, November 25. Cyber Monday spans three days at Amazon, from Saturday, November 26 to Monday, November 28. Our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are available to everyone, no Prime membership required.
What is the duration of Black Friday?
Many non-retail employees and schools have both Thanksgiving and the following Friday off. Along with the following regular weekend, this makes the Black Friday weekend a four-day weekend, which is said to increase the number of potential shoppers.
