Black Friday morning in Greenwood looked pretty much like any morning at J.C. Penney and Wal-Mart — a smattering of cars on the parking lots at 6:30 a.m. today.
The big shopping action this year, at least for the chain operators, was on Thanksgiving Day. While many residents were still gathered around the table, sharing stories and dessert, hundreds of hearty shoppers lined up at Penney’s to be there when the store opened at 2 p.m.
According to store employees, a line stretched all the way down the sidewalk, past the neighboring WIN Job Center and beyond, before the doors finally opened to bargain hunters.
Most had studied their circulars and headed straight to the big buys — deeply discounted diamond jewelry, expensive bedding marked down drastically and kitchen appliances.
The air fryer, a device that can produce the effect of deep frying with just a few tablespoons of oil, was reportedly the most popular kitchen item, discounted by nearly half with a $40 rebate, making the cost negligible.
At Wal-Mart, the usual 6 a.m. opening time was not unusual except that it was Thanksgiving and customers might traditionally have been putting the turkey in the oven about then. Stalwart bargain hunters filled the parking lot before the sun came up.
A security guard said electronics were the big buy of the day, including special deals on flat- screen TVs that were quickly snatched up.
Big Lots and Fred’s were open on Thanksgiving as well, offering their super discounts a day ahead of actual Black Friday.
Dollar General’s sale was limited strictly to Thanksgiving Day.
Black Friday deals continue today and Saturday at the big box stores, minus the crush of customers rushing to be first in line, and discounted prices will continue to be touted online.
Smaller, local retail stores will offer their holiday deals today and Saturday during normal hours.
National retail news analysts are reporting that the trend of backing up to Thanksgiving Day to draw crowds to stores has experienced something of a backlash, with customers demonstrating their unwillingness to give up the stay-at-home holiday for shopping. In larger cities nationwide, many stores have gone back to opening at midnight or 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Another trend reported by national media is that many customers are expressing a preference for “an experience” as opposed to a good deal on a television set. Enjoying beautifully decorated stores might, in fact, be a draw to locally owned downtown stores and others in Greenwood that have chosen to invest in the aesthetics of a candy cane and sugar plum-laced holiday shopping experience.
Whether Greenwood will catch up with the national trend of letting Black Friday again start on Friday in years to come, giving shoppers a day to remain at home and retail workers a possible day off, remains to be seen.
•Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
