CONCORD, NC — Black Friday is quickly becoming more of a Black Thursday, with slews of stores opening their doors for shoppers on Thanksgiving.
The trend of earlier openings on the holiday has some critics, but that’s not stopping shoppers from taking advantage.
Black Friday used to be on Friday. Now it’s cutting into turkey time, as retailers redefine holiday tradition.
“Honestly, I believe that family comes first,” said Charlotte resident Walter Torres. “Should it be a balance? That’s up to you as a family and not the store. You have the option to come.”
The push for stores to boost the bottom line, and for shoppers to get the best deal, means Thanksgiving dinner may have to hit the table a little early, or late.
“We have ours around eight o’clock,” said Torres, who was at the Concord Mills Best Buy when the doors opened at 5pm. “Our family is over there cooking right now.”
In the last few years places like Concord Mills have started opening the doors to offer holiday discounts on Thanksgiving to better compete with online rivals.
And it’s working. People are giving up holiday time to brave the cold weather and long lines. Daniel Asmar spent more than 24 hours on line at Best Buy.Β
“Cause I want to make sure I got the TV,” said Asmar.
Analysis of sales data and store ads by two research firms shows that the better deals are actually being offered on Thanksgiving, rather than Black Friday.
“This is when most people spend the majority of their money,” said Nancy Gray with Concord Mills. “I think more people have more money this year because of the gas prices being down. I think people are going to be here and they’re going to be shopping.”
Some people are willing to wait in line on Thanksgiving.
“Yeah shoes,” said Concord Mills shopper Mariana Dorbecker. “I want shoes. And I want to start buying Christmas.”
Others question whether the retail creep is taking a toll on the holiday. Β Β
“We still didn’t understand why they’re opening Thanksgiving Day,” said Carly Bedgood, who drove from Mr. Pleasant to shop at Concord Mills. “We were thinking maybe midnight, but I don’t understand either. But I think it is too early for people to have to be out here on Thanksgiving.”
Americans spent more than $57 billion on Black Friday sales last year. That number was down from a record $59 billion in 2012.Β
