Set your alarm, warm up your credit card and consume obscene amounts of caffeine — Black Friday is almost upon us, and avid shoppers are in search of the perfect holiday gift.
Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States and, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t actually a holiday. This year, the shopping insanity will take place on Nov. 25, and many retail stores have already begun to prepare. Stores typically hire extra help during the holiday shopping season, such as Tyler Sanders, freshman in LAS, who was hired at Victoria’s Secret at the Market Place Shopping Center.
“At my orientation, I had a couple people tell me that they hate Black Friday and that I was going to hate it,” Sanders said. “But, I’m just trying to block that out.”
In past years, the Market Place Shopping Center typically opens at 4 a.m.; however, some stores will open their doors at midnight this year. Timmie Ponkay, a mall employee, explained that opening up at midnight will help with traffic because most shoppers go to electronic stores first and the mall second. This way, mall shoppers can get in and out before others come from electronic stores.
Judy Corbett, an employee for Lancome at the Market Place Shopping Center, explained that the key to Black Friday shopping is knowing exactly what you want.
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“Look at the fliers, circle the things that you’re interested in getting and go directly there first because you can get so distracted by all the goodies,” Corbett said.
Brenna Koerner, freshman in DGS, has gone Black Friday shopping for the past two years, and her best advice is to just move as quickly as possible.
“Even if you don’t think you’re going to buy it, I would just grab things anyway,” Koerner said.
Corbett also explained that, although women do most Black Friday shopping, men often tag along, especially to jewelry shop for their significant other.
“The first thing that happens is you get lots and lots of people converging on the jewelry sale,” Corbett said. “Then it kind of evens out.”
Most people shop on Black Friday to get the best deals out there; however, some shoppers, such as Cara Adler, day care provider, simply shop on Black Friday because of tradition. Adler has participated in Black Friday for the past 10 years and has experienced it all.
“People bring kids that are sleeping in pajamas in strollers, it’s so crazy,” Adler said.
Adler’s best advice about Black Friday was to look for sales ahead of the actual date. Many stores, such as American Eagle, will begin sales the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
“It’s the same sale but with a third of the people in the store,” Adler said. “So it’s better to get deals before, but I just go for the fun of it.”
Whether you’re dying to get all the best prices or just want to witness people fighting over the last iPhone 4S, be sure to nourish yourself with some turkey and get plenty of rest before the big day — because no one likes a crabby shopper.
