In stark contrast to years past, shopping centers were eerily quiet in the hours leading up to Black Friday this year. However, retail experts predict shoppers will still flock to stores.
Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving brought massive crowds, long lines, and the familiar frenzy of Black Friday shopping.
Victoria Walker remembers the chaos vividly.
“The PlayStation had just come out,” she recalled. “There were so many people running around. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen anything like this before!’ It was crazy.”
But for some, the mayhem of Black Friday has become overwhelming.
“I gave that up a long time ago,” Walker said. “It’s just too much.”
Still, Black Friday isn’t dead. According to the National Retail Federation, 76 million people shopped in stores on Black Friday in 2023 — though that’s 8 million fewer than four years earlier. This year, however, could see a shift due to the late timing of Thanksgiving.
“We’re expecting significant activity over Thanksgiving weekend, with record shopping numbers — about 183 million consumers at least,” explained Katherine Cullen, a spokesperson for the National Retail Federation.
For those heading to stores, Houston police officers offered safety tips:
- Keep your wallet in a front pocket instead of the back.
- Stay alert in food courts, as bags can be switched.
- Try to shop before dark.
- If shopping alone, don’t hesitate to ask a store employee or security guard to escort you to your car.
If you’re planning to shop in-store this weekend, consider waiting until Sunday. Last year, 40 million fewer people shopped on the Sunday after Thanksgiving compared to Black Friday, according to the National Retail Federation.
Black Friday remains an evolving tradition. While some welcome the shift to avoid the chaos, others miss the social aspects of the experience.
“It’s good and bad,” Walker reflected. “You don’t get to meet people anymore. You used to stand in line, meet new people, and be part of the crowd. Now, everyone’s at home shopping online.”
Though online shopping meets retailers’ sales goals, it’s a significant departure from the chaotic, yet iconic, Black Friday of years past.
