Black Friday expectations still big, even with shoppers starting earlier this year

Jim Abbott, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·6 min read

DAYTONA BEACH — Even with ample opportunities to shop earlier, Amy Annon is among the holiday shoppers who still plans to set an alarm for an ungodly hour to be among the crowds out on Black Friday, the traditional opening day of the holiday shopping season.

“It’s something to do,” she said. “It’s exciting. I do it every year.”

In preparation for the big day, Annon, of Ormond Beach, was strolling the aisles of the Destination Fun toy store at Tanger Outlets mall on Monday with her three children, ages 11, 10 and 8. It was more of a reconnaissance mission than a buying spree.

Shoppers wiith youngsters in tow browse the aisles at Destination Fun toy store on Monday at Tanger Outlets mall in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their buying early this year, retailers still expect crowds on Black Friday.
Shoppers wiith youngsters in tow browse the aisles at Destination Fun toy store on Monday at Tanger Outlets mall in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their buying early this year, retailers still expect crowds on Black Friday.

“I’m about halfway done with my shopping,” she said, adding that with the squeeze of inflation there’s a practical incentive for venturing out early among the Black Friday hordes for exclusive deals not available otherwise.

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“It (Christmas shopping) is costing a lot more this year, which is why Black Friday is important,” she said. “Electronics are expensive.”

More shoppers started early this year

She might not have as much company this year, according to statistics from the National Retail Federation. Based on its holiday survey, 46% of shoppers started buying holiday gifts before November.

The NRF’s forecast predicts that holiday retail sales nationally will reach between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion, an increase of 6%-8% over the 2021 shopping season. Consumers will spend an average of $832.84 on gifts and holiday items including decorations and food, the forecast states.

Gift cards remain the top gift, with 54% of shoppers putting them at the top of their wish lists. Other top gifts include clothing and accessories (49%); books and other media (30%); and electronics (24%).

Those early-bird shoppers include Lindsay and Matt Monsees, of Jacksonville, who were spending part of a day trip to Daytona Beach browsing the aisles of Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona on Monday. There was no pressure to find last-minute items to fill any holiday wish lists, they said.

“We started in the summer, and we’re pretty much done,” said Lindsay, who still seemed willing to head out on Black Friday, until Matt shook his head at the prospect. “No, I guess we won’t be doing that. We’ll do cyber-Monday instead.”

Shoppers stroll the aisles past sale and clearance signs at the Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started making holiday purchases early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.
Shoppers stroll the aisles past sale and clearance signs at the Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started making holiday purchases early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

At Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona, the influx of holiday shoppers started early this year, said Todd Blanchard, general manager. Still, he expects customers to be lined up outside the door before the store opens at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, enticed by deals on everything from denim jeans to hunting rifles.

“It (holiday shopping) starts earlier and earlier every year,” said Blanchard, pointing out that the store welcomed Santa Claus on Nov. 5, more than a month-and-a-half ahead of his gift deliveries on Christmas Eve. “The customers have been coming early, so hopefully they continue to come.”

At Bass Pro, hot-selling items range from holiday yard decorations that feature Santa on a wave board or tubing behind a boat to cold-weather clothing and fishing gear.

Shoppers check out the offerings at Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.
Shoppers check out the offerings at Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

The store’s Black Friday deals include $12 jeans and $10 flannel shirts as well as a deep price-cut on a popular Savage Axis II XP bolt-action rifle that’s on sale for $349.98, a $150 savings off its regular price of $499.99, Blanchard said.

For retailers, a return to normal

After dealing with COVID-related precautions and supply chain issues in recent years, preparation for this year’s holiday season has been less stressful, he said. The store also will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Blanchard said.

“We are probably in better shape than we have been in the past three or four years, when we were dealing with all the COVID issues and supply chain issues,” he said. “We’re much better with what we have in stock, so we’re not chasing inventory like we have been over the past three years.”

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At Tanger Outlets, things also continue to return to normal at Destination Fun, although the toy store has faced some inflation-related issues, said owner Kevin Kasch.

A bright green dragon greets shoppers at the door to Destination Fun toy store at the Tanger Outlets mall in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds on Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.
A bright green dragon greets shoppers at the door to Destination Fun toy store at the Tanger Outlets mall in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds on Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

“The freight costs are out of this world,” Kasch said. “We are not getting some things, because it’s just too expensive to ship. I’d say the shipping costs are up almost 50% compared with a year ago.”

Even so, the shelves are well-stocked with hot items, including popular Sonic The Hedgehoge plush toys ($34.99) as well as an array of accessories for them, Kasch said.

Board games also are popular this year, he said, including nearly two dozen editions of Monopoly tied to everything from Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to the rock band Queen to Squishmallows, yet another trendy toy.

“On the adult side, we’re selling a lot of metal signs” likely destined for dens or mancaves, Kasch said. “Also, we are killing on Jeep stuff, T-shirts, signs, all that stuff.”

Two malls to close on Thanksgiving

Tanger Outlets will be open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, after being closed on Thanksgiving.

At Volusia Mall, doors also will open at 6 a.m. for Black Friday shoppers. That mall also will be closed for Thanksgiving.

There, some popular holiday traditions also have returned after being sidelined by the pandemic, said Kristina Circelli, marketing director. That includes the return of See’s Candies, a popular fixture among holiday shoppers.

“This is their first season back since the pandemic in 2020,” Circelli said. “We get dozens of calls every year asking for them and have already seen a ton of excitement as people enjoy their treats again this year. We’re expecting a busy and successful season for our retailers and look forward to welcoming the community to Volusia Mall on Black Friday.”

A shopper browses sale pamphlet on Monday at the Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.
A shopper browses sale pamphlet on Monday at the Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona in Daytona Beach. Although many shoppers started their holiday buying early this year, retailers still expect big crowds for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

Elsewhere, doors will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday at the Best Buy on West International Speedway Boulevard, where a Black Friday line of shoppers seeking the latest in electronic gaming and other smart gadgets stretched around the block a year ago.

Like the Volusia and Tanger malls, Best Buy also will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Consider it the calm before the storm.

If you go

Black Friday hours at popular Daytona Beach shopping spots:

Bass Pro Shops at One Daytona,1880 Checkered Flag Blvd., Suite N-100, Daytona Beach. Open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Also open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Best Buy, 1900 W International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Tanger Outlets mall, 1100 Cornerstone Blvd., Suite 100, Daytona Beach. Open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Volusia Mall, 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Closed on Thanksgiving Day. 

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Black Friday still expected to draw crowds at stores in Volusia County