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Shoppers begin holiday buying earlier than ever
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
Days before stores opened for the traditional holiday shopping day, a group of shoppers sat camped out in front of Best Buy - four days before Black Friday.
"We met a couple of these guys last year, and we all decided to shop together this year," said Natalie Taylor, spokesperson for Get Motivated Juvenile Boot Camp. "We're shopping this year to get things for the boot camp, and we thought this would be a good way to do that."
Taylor and the group she was with were camped out in front of the Lewisville Best Buy with a tent, a couch, a coffee table and the group even had hot tubs, televisions and game consoles. Taylor said it turned into a whole production, and the group decided to make it as fun as possible.
"We go out into the community and do parenting interventions to help families improve their lives," Taylor said. "We have other groups around the area set up and ready to shop for supplies this year. Best Buy corporate has really embraced us this year and made us feel comfortable."
While Taylor was first in line, by 8 p.m. Thursday nearly 100 were behind her. She said people began lining up at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Across the highway, Amy Keliikoa sat first in line for Target. This is her thirteenth year to shop on Black Friday. She got in line at 2:15 p.m. for the 9 p.m. opening. More than an hour before the store opened, the line stretched back to Ross.
"I've found that it's really worth it for the deals," Keliikoa said. "I've never not found deals."
This is not the first year Keliikoa found herself in the front of a Black Friday line. Last year, she was at Toys R Us at 3 p.m. for its 9 p.m. opening. Keliikoa plans out her Black Friday shopping in order to get in and out of stores as fast as possible.
"I started with my lists Monday, and I've mapped out where I need to go in the store," Keliikoa said. "My kids are older this year, so I found that Target had the best deals for what they wanted, but we'll be going around to other stores tonight."
Even though Black Friday is a tradition for Keliikoa, she said she doesn't agree with the earlier store hours.
"In my opinion, the stores are competing with families eating together. We ate dinner around noon and had to rush out the door to get in line," Keliikoa said. "I don't like doing this so early, I think the earlier shopping hours bring out a more volitate crowd. The crowds that came out when stores opened in the morning were easier to deal with."
Toys R Us had one of the earliest opening time this year - the store opened to shoppers at 8 p.m. One mother stood first in line having got to the store at 1:30 p.m. Right behind her was Thom Talbott. He said he also arrived at 1:30 p.m.
"I've done a little Black Friday shopping in the past, but not in a long time," Talbott said. "I'm hoping to get the new Wii U. I stood in line eight hours to get the Wii, so I'm willing to wait for this."
Toys R Us was allowing 50 shoppers in at a time in order to keep a safe atmosphere. Shoppers were also given tickets while in line for bigger items. The line for the store was past Conn's by 8 p.m.
For the first time, Vista Ridge Mall opened at midnight. The mall was handing out "I Survived Black Friday Shopping" bag filled with retailer coupons, special offers and an assortment of other gifts including a bottle of water, pocket-sized anti-bacteria gel from Bath & Body Works, a commemorative holiday ornament and more.
"It's becoming more and more prevalent that a midnight opening is more of an event and that's what we want to make it at Vista Ridge Mall," said Leanne Lowry, general manager of Vista Ridge Mall. "We partnered with Collin Creek Mall to try to make it a fun thing for people to be here on Black Friday."
The holiday weekend has high stakes for retailers who are hoping sales will be indicative of good things to come. Black Friday gets its name because it traditionally was the day when huge crowds would push stores into "the black," or profitability. Many retailers depend on the holiday shopping season to bring in up to 40 percent of their annual revenue.
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