It’s official! The Holiday Shopping Season is underway! Black Friday has evolved over the past few years with stores opening earlier and earlier and offering merchandise at even lower prices. This year, Kmart, Meijer, and Sears were open Thanksgiving Day with Toys R Us opening at 10 p.m. Black Friday began with Old Navy opening at midnight and Kohl’s opening its doors right at 3 a.m. Most of the other big retailers followed right after, starting the day at 4 a.m. Extended hours kept most stores opened until midnight. Many bargain hunters waited in line for hours to be the first ones to rush through the doors looking for Early Bird incentives and this season’s hot items, which included electronic reading devices, gaming systems, and discounted apparel.
The traffic on Nicholasville Road to enter the mall truly reflected how much consumer traffic retailers were experiencing. Most stores at Fayette Mall opened at 6 a.m. with an exception of others that opened earlier. For example, Aeropostale opened its doors at midnight. There were mad dashes to parking spots because the mall’s parking lot was already completely full by 5 a.m. Many mall employees utilized carpooling mechanisms or had family and friends drop them off so they wouldn’t be late for work. It’s no wonder why customers were out shopping so early-there were the best bargains of the season to be seen on this day! Express and Ann Taylor Loft had 40% off their store until noon, Hollister’s entire store was 30%, Macy’s offered extraordinary savings for customers that possessed a WOW!pass, and even Abercrombie and Fitch offered a $25 gift card for every $75 purchase. It’s safe to say that the retail industry ended in a surplus on Black Friday.
59 comments:
I can't even begin to imagine how much money the stores made on Black Friday with all these great sales going on. Its amazing to me that Hollister and Abercrombie were offering some special type of sale or reward, you almost never see their clothing on sale. I know that my newspaper at home is always so much thicker than it usually is on the wednesday before Black Friday because of all the coupons stuffed in it! Black Friday is a holiday in itself!
Elizabeth Griffith
From the picture it looks like a mad rush of people. People brought chairs to wal-mart and sat in front of the item they were wanting so when the time came they could purchase it, no one else could get it. To me that is just crazy! Especially when my mom told me about fights breaking out over items. However, Black Friday is a great day to save huge on Christmas presents.
I know from experience how crazy things are on black friday, and from working black friday in pervious years, i know how serious people get about their shopping at this time of year. I heard that there were people camped outside of stores for two days waiting for them to open their doors. Spending your thanksgiving outside waiting for a store to open seems like a lot of shoppers dedication to me!
I work at Express at Fayette Mall and worked from 4p.m. to 1 a.m. just trying to put the store back to what it's properly supposed to look like. We definitly had a crowd the entire day, but I was lucky enough to get to work easily off nicholasville road and get a parking spot pretty close and easy. I thought it was fun to work black friday, and i'm sure it's really fun for all the customers!
I did not go shopping on black firday, but having gone to fayette mall on a weekend i can see how crowded it gets! So, i can only imagine how much traffic there was trying to get in and out of the mall on Black Friday! I would not have been able to handle it!
I use to be one of the many customers that arrived at the stores when they first opened with my mom. But this year I woke up at 7:30, and arrived at the stores at 9. Many of the stores check out lines were too long so I just went to another store. I was suprised that many of the stores even had good sales like Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch.
I think its absolutely crazy, the times people wake up to go shopping on Black Friday. I have never gone but it seems like it would be pretty overwhelming with everyone trying to get into the store!!
I have never really gotten to experience the shopping side of black friday because I have always had to work. However this year I finally got to go. We went out at midnight and were finished around 6:30 in the morning. It was definitly an experience I won't forget anytime soon!
Christine Wolfzorn
I usually don't do Black Friday. All the people waiting in lines at early hours in the morning overwhelms me. However, if I would have known Express was doing 40% off until noon, I just might of had to make myself get up and go!
-Paige Hofmann
I was also at the Fayette mall on black friday to witness all of the madness! I work at New York and Company and we also opened at midnight! Our line was almost out the door all day long! I did get a chance to shop too though and i found some amazing deals, mostly at Charlotte Russe, back home at the Florence mall they were giving away free red bull drinks and granola bars for customers! and everything was at least half off most everything more like 70-80% off!
To me, it seems as though stores were opened a lot earlier this year than previous years. Many stores that do not normally give out discounts had great deals. I did not go shopping on Black Friday this year. I think it is worth the effort if I need make a big purchase such as electronics.
I think its so crazy that the stores are open that early! Last year it didnt seem like the stores opened up that early. I didnt actually go to the mall that day but i went to little downtown shops and even those were so packed with people! My family who went to the mall and told me about the abercrombie and hollister sales that i think were great deals and you save alot! Next year i'll definately have to go to the stores like old navy that open up at 12!
I have never been that into Black Friday. This year I was in Panama City, Florida for the holiday and I went with my sisters to the outlet mall that they have there. I didn't plan on doing any major shopping because I assumed the crowd would be impossible, but it surprisingly wasn't. I have a favorite boutique at Pier Park, the oulet mall; it's called Deja Vu, and everything in the store was 50% off! I ended up spending quite a bit of time and money in there on Black Friday! I was very successful and satisfied with my purchases.
-Erin McGee
Kohl's was one of the stops I made for black Friday shopping. I was able to purchase a nice jacket for 65% off. Kohl's also gave incentive for shoppers to return within one week by offering $10 gift cards for every $50 of items purchased. I also found many great deals at others stores that made black Friday more than satisfactory.
--Kasey Paterson
I have never attended the black friday sales, but I did this year! I just wanted the experience, and I didn't really have that much money to be spending. I bought a really cute sweater that was originally 30 dollers and I got it for 10! There were huge lines to enter the mall and there were many news crews. SOme of the stores that we went in to at midnight were handing out red bulls and snacks for the customers!
I think its interesting to see that stores who ordinarily do not offer discounts or savings of any kind except their out of season sale rack opening early and offering discounts and incentives like everyone else. I think it really shows the change in our economy and the extra effort stores are putting into not only staying afloat but making massive profits. I would be interested to hear the estimated total earnings from major stores from Black Friday deals. Who knows after the deals I saw from this year maybe next year I'll be contributing to the profit earnings as well :)
I really like the picture of all the people standing outside waiting to get. I started out my Black Friday at Macy's and surprisingly the line was not too terribly long. I bought stuff for only myself but the sales are worth the traffic and waking up early.
-Elena Jones
Black Friday is a very popular day and lots of people save their energy to get up early and shop all day. It was nice that some stores decided to open up early. It helped with people traffic having stores open earlier and the sales going longer. I enjoy going black Friday not only for the sales but to watch people and how crazy some people can be.
Jessica Stockdale
I was working on Black Friday, but I have attended the shopping before. This is one of the most intense shopping days of the year! I made the mistake of needing toothpaste last minute on the night of thanksgiving and totally forgetting it was going to be madness at wal-mart I had to squeeze my way through the aisle for colgate! It was completely insane, and I much rather pay the extra money and get rest!
I was working on Black Friday, but I have attended the shopping before. This is one of the most intense shopping days of the year! I made the mistake of needing toothpaste last minute on the night of thanksgiving and totally forgetting it was going to be madness at wal-mart I had to squeeze my way through the aisle for colgate! It was completely insane, and I much rather pay the extra money and get rest!
-Amber Olinger
All stores must make a ridiculous amount of money on Black Friday. There are so many people that decide to go shopping on this day. The stores have great markdowns and you can buy stuff for next to nothing. It also is that start of Christmas shopping. The holidays are a great time for retailers.
I have always thought that Black Friday is one of the craziest days of the year. People camping out in front of Best Buy in the freezing cold never made since to me when I was younger. However, now that I realize the great deals the are offered at stores it is easier to understand why people would do this. I have never had the guts to get up and shop at 4am but am hoping one year I can do it just to see what its like!
-Anne Hart Atchison
I've never been shopping on Black Friday, but it sounds like fun with all of the crowds and chaos. I prefer to get the same or similar discounts online from the comfort of my couch at home. When retailers offer incentives like free shipping and free gift wrapping along with their online discounts, it makes fighting the crowds hardly worth it.
Lauren Brickey
The line outside the mall in your picture made me glad that I didn't go shopping on black friday. The deals are great, but the crowds are just too much for me to deal with. I would maybe go out if there was a specific item was looking for that was a good deal. I'm sure that the retailers sales were greatly improved from black friday.
Drew McCombs
I was out black friday, but not as a shopper, i was working. Kohls opened at 3a.m. and i had to be there bright and early at 2a.m. I guess that what i get for working retail. But the worst part was that i wasnt aloud to shop until after my shift ended, even during my breaks. Ten hour shift, not being able to shop, i got the rotten end of black friday. But I was provided with free meals that day!
I arrived at the mall at 4:30 and it was not as bad as I had expected but Macy's was full of customers already! I got a ton of great deals and a good parking spot surprisingly! Arden B had everything buy one get one free so I got $200 worth of clothes for $100! I love the picture of your collage of coupons! I could spend all day going through the ads from the newspaper!
I was not in Lexington for Black Friday; I was at home in Maryland. Although, I can already imagine the traffic; I sat on the high way for about 2 hours just to get to the outlets. Stores definitely had some good deals this year.
-Kayla Sienkowski
I have never been black friday shopping before and wished that I would have gone this year! I hear that it is so crazy with all the people rushing in, as shown in the picture. In the future I for sure want to go black friday shopping to see all the deals!
-Erin Creelman
Seeing the pictures posted and watching the news about black friday shoppers; it's safe to say that people were determined to get to the items on sale. Thats why alot of stores make the big sales only last till a certain time on black friday. I have never been black friday shopping but feel as if its an experience I should experience at least once.
Kerri Prichard
Black Friday is my Favorite day of the year. I love going out and finding great deals and shopping at all hours. Its surprizing that Hollister and Abercromibe were having specials as well. I'm sure many stores make so much money and they look forward to Black Friday as well.
Though sales were a bit lower than seen in previous years, customers rushed out to the store this Black Friday. I was also surprised, however that Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister offered sales as I have never heard of them ever having a sale. No matter the store, it is clear that customers got deals on their purchases both for themselves and for their friends and family.
Even with those big specials from those clothing retailers i bet they still made a huge profit from all the customer purchases they received. Definitely need to stop by Express next time if they have those deals going. Its crazy that the entire mall parking lot was full at that time, I would try and go around 10 or so the next time.
I am guessing a lot of the stores made so much money on black friday since they opened Thursday night! I couldn't imagine shopping at that time and waiting in line for hours. Maybe next year I will try and go shopping that early.
-paige krall
I imagine Nicholasville road was much busier around one in the morning than one in the after noon on this years Black Friday! The deals really were great, and some could even be accessed online without even getting out in the madness!
-Bethany Davis
I spent my Black Friday shopping in Louisville and was up and shopping by 4:30. None of the lines I had to wait in were longer than 20 minutes, which really surprised me. I remember a couple of years ago when the check out line at Kohls was wrapped around the building. I also found some pretty good deals while shopping this year.
-Cortney Hockenbury
I have never been out shopping for Black Friday. To this day I don't know if I even could. It is crazy stores will open up Thanksgiving Day to get in their sales with all of the shoppers. Even though the discounts are amazing I don't know if I could deal with the mayhem.
Meredith Gross
I think the pictures for this blog are very creative and I love them! I also think all the information in the blog is very true and the students really know what they're talking about. You can tell that they did their research on this topic. I feel bad for the employees that have to get there so early for these crazy shoppers! I fortunately asked off work, otherwise I would have had to be there at 5am!
Black Friday is one of the most busiest days of the year for retail companies, thus creating hell for its employees. Black Friday sales are always some of the bests, people really get some good deals at this time of the year. I like how in this blog there is an example of what the rush looks like once doors open up for stores.
On black Friday I went to the mall, but not until later in the afternoon. I could not believe how crowded it was. Although it was packed I was able to get some good deals. I think Black Friday is not only a good day for both consumers and retailers, but also just an interesting fun day in general. Retailers have a good flow of customers and are able to make a lot sales. Likewise, customers are able to get good deals.
Julie Sutton
This was a great post describing the conditions of Lexington's biggest stores on Black Friday. At the internship I had this summer they were planning for their Black Friday sales as early as July. It is crazy how much planning goes into this insane shopping day. It's great for the economy and retailers in tough times as well.
Nicole Benz
I couldnt believe how early some of the stores were opening!!! I remember when the stores would open around 4 a.m but not this year!! A girl i work with went out at 11 p.m on THURSDAY to start her black friday shopping. I coulnt imagine standing in line for 4 hours just to save a couple of dollars on the non big ticket items! Not to mention the people who go out that early can tend to get a little crazy!!
Lauren Farinelli
I went out on Black Friday with my mom and sister. We were not early birds however and didn't get to the mall until about 11:00am. Macy's was our first stop and it was very crowded and hectic. I can't imagine having to work during or after Black Friday, it would be alot of straightening and cleaning to do.
I am really glad that I was not at the fayette mall on black friday. I am sure it was super chaotic and crowded. I used to work at Express in the fayette mall and know how it gets. The sales would have been awesome to take advantage of though. It sounds like black friday was a success for Lexington.
-Abby Hurley
I look forward to shopping on black friday every year! I got up at 4:30 am to be there when the mall opened at 5 am. I got a really cute dress from Express because the whole store was 40% off until 12 pm. Cant wait to go again next year, although it can get very crazy
-Layla Boliha
I work every black friday at the mall and it is a crazy day. I got to work at 6 am and still had trouble parking. While i dread working it every year once I am there i enjoy it because the customers are excited which makes helping them shop fun.
Andrew Wyatt
Black Friday was not as busy as i thought this year, and the deals were better!! The loft, the limited, and express were 3 stores I saw that had 40% off everything in the store! I have not noticed that in previous years and I got a lot of great deals! I also got a coupon book from the mall that had some discount for over 50 stores that we could use! I cant wait until I get to go back home to do some more shopping!!
-Danielle Custer
I can only imagine what the traffic was like in Lexington. I think it is very convenient that stores are now opening earlier at times like 12:00 and staying open all night until the early morniing. Because I know at Wal-Mart them being opened all night helped because you could wait in line for your desired item INSIDE! I don't think I could ever wait outside this time of year for any price. I agree that the deals seem to get better with each year. I liked how in this post some of the best deals were included as examples - it was a good idea!
-Katie Fisher
Store become more strategic every year when it comes to Black Friday. Opening the store the day before is the best idea I have heard so far. The thing that gets me about so stores is that the door busters will sometimes continue even after the ending time has past. So, I don't see why people rush and put themselves in harms was for a shirt or dvd. Don't get me wrong I love catching good deals but I'd rather not get trampled.
I hate black friday. I think that it just turns people into animals, I would not fight some woman for a shirt or anything materialistic. Most of my family wakes up early to hit the big sales, however I would much rather stay in bed. Since I work every black Friday I hate even trying to get out and shop.
I really enjoyed your post from Black Friday and wish I could have gone to see it all happen but I couldn't. I did however shop on Cyber Monday which was a lot of fun and I was able to find a lot of awesome deals. Next year I am definitely planning on going shopping for Black Friday just to experience it all!
--Raegan Kuchar
Black Friday is such a crazy event and one of the mpay exciting things during November. Lots of people look forward to black Friday as well. I feel like stores this year opener way earlier than they did last year. I was surprised to find out that some stores opened at midnight. That's crazy. But I guess that's what you gotta do to get the best deals.
-Adria Hearn
I went shopping on black friday but I decided not to go to the mall. Instead I went to some boutiques down on campus with my mom. Even the smaller stores were having black friday sales. At Lucia's on high street everything in the store was 15% for friday and saturday.
-Rebecca Ramos
I've never ventured out to go shopping on Black Friday. I would love to but I don't think I would have the patience to stand in the huge crowds.However I do love good sales so I guess I'll make it out there one of these days.
this year was the 1st year i tried to go black friday shopping. it was so crazy that i just left!!! the line inside walmart was somehting that i havent ever seen before!
-amanda birch
black friday is always a big time of the year.to bad im not the type of person to wake up at 3:00 in the morning to catch a great sale, but for those who are its amazing. this year i wish i did go.
-jannifer buchanan
Just seeing the crowd is a huge turnoff for me. I can't think of anything I need that bad to wake up at 3am to wait in line for hours just to save a little bit of money. Every year I consider it but it still hasn't happened. Once again.."maybe next year." Sometimes I think Cyber Monday has better deals going on than Black Friday.
As you said, the stores are beginning to open earlier each year, trying to mark their advantage against their other competetors. Once the stores keep pushing back their hours, they will be starting to open on Thanksgiving! I think the stores are going to start making their sales and deals online, that way they will also get the benefits of shipping costs!
i did not go shopping on black friday nor have i ever. i bet it would be very overwhelming trying to go and get what you want before its sold out or people snatch your size in the shirt you like. Its crazy the times people wake up to go shopping on Black Friday.
I love black friday shopping, Its really a hunt for the best deals and planning out your route. My mom and I have a map we make and time limits we can spend in each place. Some times it is literally a race around the stores.
-Jillian Dunaway
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