Many retailers are foregoing tradition and opening their websites up to Black Friday deals long before their doors open to the public.
Traditionally, Thanksgiving was a time to spend with food, friends and family. The stores were closed and everyone spent the day relaxing and gearing up for the deals to be had on the following day, known as Black Friday. One of the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday offers specials and deals that customers often cannot get any other time. It also offers lines, crowds and the possibility that items will sell out before a customer can get to it.
Now many retailers are taking advantage of the consumer’s desire to skip the hustle and bustle and shop from the convenience of home. They are offering their Black Friday deals, or other specials, a day early to those who want to leave the turkey and head for the computer.
Retailers such as Kohls, Walmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy, Macy’s and JC Penney will be offering many of their special Black Friday prices on their websites a day before they open their doors to holiday shoppers.
Cyber Monday was once known as the online Black Friday. The Monday after Thanksgiving was the biggest online shopping day of the year. This has changed in recent years as Thanksgiving and the Friday after have become the fastest growing online shopping days.
In 2009 $318 million was spent online on Thanksgiving with $595 million spent online the day after. While Cyber Monday did see a higher profit at $887 million, the rate at which it increased over previous years was smaller than the other days.
It is projected that the number of people opting for online shopping this year will be even greater. Retailers are hoping the early deals will help boost their numbers after the economy has caused a dwindling in shopping habits.
