Small Businesses Hope for Customers Tomorrow
This was the scene in 2008 when shoppers lined the parking lot waiting for Wal-Mart to open at 6AM. By way of reference, gasoline was also at $1.99 that year. (KP File Photo)
It may have been Thanksgiving Day yesterday, but shoppers were already in stores hoping for a peek at merchandise that went on sale early this morning.
Wal-Mart in the Hilltop Plaza was fully staffed yesterday afternoon, strategically placing bins clearly marked “Not for Sale Until 6AM Friday.” Nevertheless, the shoppers were already forming lines just to look at the merchandise that included everything from televisions to computer flash drives.
One of the busiest retail shopping days of the year began at midnight at some major retailers, and for many, even Thanksgiving Day.
Several ‘Black Friday’ deals across the national retailers were advertised in advance nationwide that potentially left residents pondering their Thanksgiving Day plans, but several local businesses are crossing their fingers that some shoppers still have money in their pockets for tomorrow.
According to the National Retail Foundation, about 140 million shoppers will find their holiday gifts this weekend, and small businesses want a piece of the action.
“Though many people have already started to check off items from their holiday shopping lists, we fully expect to see many more come out on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the weekend to take in the festive sights and sounds – and to take advantage of unbeatable deals,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As the official kick off to the holiday season, retailers are prepared to pull out all the stops for their online and store shoppers, including offering sweepstakes with cash prizes, free gifts with purchase and even exclusive opportunities to score top gift items before everyone else.”
About 70 percent of the shopping will occur today, but November 30 nationwide is also considered “Small Business Saturday” and promises to deliver some deals. It has had an effect, as more than $5 billion was spent with local companies in 2012.
According to American Express – which established “Small Business Saturday” in 2010 to support local businesses – there are 70 retailers in the Kittanning area qualified for such business this weekend. Many of those businesses were offered free tools to help promote their deals.
Regional News | KP NewsDesk November 29, 2013
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