Black Friday shopping hours scaled back, but deals still to be had
Nov. 17—Retailers are saying no, no, no to the go, go, go days of marathon Black Friday shopping.
For years, major stores offered non-stop shopping that often began late Thanksgiving night and stretched 24 hours or longer through Black Friday.
"That went by the wayside," said Joe Bell, director of corporate communication's for Cafaro Co., which owns Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio.
It's also scarce finding a store open on Thanksgiving this year.
Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers were still licking their wounds as the COVID-19 pandemic began waning. Finding seasonal help last holiday shopping season was brutal for many.
"It got critical last year for some retailers to find holiday employees," Bell said.
Seasonal hiring has improved this year.
"But I'm still hearing some stores saying they could use more people," he said.
Simple economics is the key reason for retailers curbing extra-long Black Friday hours.
"It just wasn't worth their time to stay open in the wee hours of the night," Bell said.
That doesn't mean all extended hours are gone. Closed on Thanksgiving, Eastwood Mall is opening 6 a.m. on Black Friday — 4 hours earlier than its normal hours. Grove City Premium Outlets in Springfield Township also has the same opening time.
The Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage had not posted its Black Friday hours on its website ,and phone calls to its office were immediately returned Friday. But anchor department store JCPenney's website said it plans to open at 10 a.m., while Leana's Books & More and Maurices are opening at 9 a.m.
Walmart stores in Hermitage, Hempfield Township and Pine Township posted on their websites they will be closed Thanksgiving and open at their regular 6 a.m. starting time Friday. Kohl's in Hermitage also is opening at 6 a.m.
Fear not; Black Friday's main tradition carries on. Deep discounts on merchandise continues. In fact, lots of merchants have been touting "Black Friday" sales for months.
And there's goodies to be had here and there for shoppers. The first 500 people in the line through Eastwood Mall's food court at 6 a.m. will get a free tote bag that contains such items as coupons and gift cards.
King's Jewelry at the Shenango Valley Mall is opening at 9 a.m., Carrie Necastro, store manager said.
Black Friday doorbusters at the store, while supplies last, include sterling silver diamond-studded earrings for $19.99 that normally fetch $100, and diamond hoop earrings for $39.99 that usually goe for $120. And there's also gifts for those buying G-Shock watches based on the watches prices.
Diamonds continues to be a top choice for women as gifts, with various colors available, Necastro said. And charm bracelets still are popular.
Diamond tennis bracelets are making a strong return. And in recent years men have joined their ranks.
"We have young men coming in and buying tennis bracelets for themselves," Necastro said.
