Black Friday shopping in Ocala/Marion County: Getting ready to shop

Dorothy Antonelli says she won't be part of any madhouse sales events on Black Friday this year.

"It's dangerous. People hear about the special deals and they stampede.

"People are looking for rock-bottom prices with the economy like it is, but inventory in the stores is limited," said Antonelli, 68, who moved to Dunnellon from Old Bridge, New Jersey, about five years ago.

Antonelli said her family now exchanges gift cards, sometimes attached to personally made items, like cookies.

Black Friday deals: Check out the top items and sales

More deals: Black Friday 2021 deals from Walmart, Target and more are here — shop all the best sales

Walmart: Walmart Black Friday 2021 ad shows PS5, Xbox Series X as online only. How to get early access.

Her family members also make contributions to charitable organizations in each other's names.

But as far as hitting the stores on Black Friday: "I don't do it. There are good deals on line and access to more inventory," she said.

Holiday sales expected to be near $1.1 trillion

Anand Krishnamoorthy, associate professor of marketing at the University of Central Florida, stated that the online sales on Black Friday are "fast approaching" those of Cyber Monday.

Krishnamoorthy wrote, in part, in an email, that this year’s holiday sales are expected be nearly $1.1 trillion overall, with $200 billion forecast to be online sales.

Krishnamoorthy explained the online sales in 2020 for Black Friday were about $9 billion while the online sales for Cyber Monday were around $11 billion. Yet Krishnamoorthy stated it's "unfair to compare" online Cyber Monday to the "local shopping experience" of Black Friday.

Some people will avoid the stores on Black Friday; others can't wait to go

Local photographer and author Cynthia Wilson-Graham plans to do her Black Friday shopping from the comfort of her home rather than fight the crowds at area brick-and-mortar stores.

Wilson-Graham has gone shopping on the infamous Friday after Thanksgiving but this year it will be mouse and screen rather than gas pedal and possibly long lines.

"I'll do the majority of my shopping online not at stores," Wilson-Graham said. She said the big crowds weren't the only obstacle; there also is the continuing concern about COVID-19 infection.

Meanwhile, Esther Gomez with the Marion County Veterans Service Office, can't wait for Black Friday. She intends to visit brick-and-mortar stores.

"It's a family tradition. I have family members come up from Miami and we will be at stores like Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Five Below (in southwest Ocala) on Black Friday. I want to touch and feel the stuff," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to it; it's exciting," Gomez remarked.

What effect with COVID-19 have on holiday shopping?

Krishnamoorthy explained COVID-19 has been a factor in the growth of online sales.

"COVID-19 accelerated that move to online because shoppers were not vaccinated last year and brick-and-mortar stores had stringent social-distancing measures in place, leading to lower foot traffic in local stores," Krishnamoorthy wrote.

"While that trend (of online holiday shopping) is likely to continue, most consumers are vaccinated now and social distancing is not as prevalent in stores. As a result, local foot traffic (hence offline sales) is going to be higher this year," Krishnamoorthy stated.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County says although the county's COVID-19 positivity rate and rate of infection per 100,000 people have "decreased sharply in recent weeks," FDOH still recommends the community remain "vigilant" and adhere to the CDC's advice.

"That includes encouraging people to maintain safe sanitation and hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing as well as staying home when they are sick," a statement provided by FDOH Public Information Officer Bill Thompson indicated.

The FDOH in Marion County recommends COVID vaccine as "the best possible strategy to reduce serious illness from the virus" and "people who suffer from compromised immune systems may want to take extra measures to protect themselves such as avoiding large crowds to limit exposure."

A post on the CDC website (cdc.gov) titled "Safer Ways to Celebrate the Holidays” states: "The best way to minimize COVID-19 risk" is to "get vaccinated if you are eligible."

The CDC post recommends wearing a tight fitting mask if you are indoors and have not been vaccinated, and if you have been vaccinated but are in a "substantial to high transmission" community.

The FDOH in Marion County explains Marion County is currently considered by the CDC to be a a "moderate" area for transmission.

"Avoid crowded poorly ventilated spaces (and) if you are sick or have symptoms, don't host or attend a gathering," the CDC post indicates.

Big stores are ready for in-person and online traffic

Retail giant JC Penney is preparing for customers both in store and online, according to an email from a firm representing the retailer.

"(We will meet) our customers however they prefer to shop, whether in store, online or a mix of both," the email states.

The email indicates JC Penney stores have Black Friday "doorbuster deals" and locations will enforce health safety measures.

“For stores located in areas the CDC has identified as 'high risk,' associates are required to wear a face mask and JCPenney recommends customers wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Associates and customers are required to wear a face mask, where required by local or state mandates,” the email stated.

Further safeguards include regular store cleaning; socially distance "queues" for customer lines; hand sanitizer for employees and customers; and plexiglass shields at open registers.

Check downtown Ocala for some Black Friday deals

Shoppers can look for Black Friday deals in downtown Ocala.

Downtown merchants include Gause & Son Jewelry, Greiner’s Clothing, Lady Jeweler, Two Hands Engaged massage, White Elephant Store, Harry’s Seafood and many more, which can be found in a directory at Ocala Main Street.com.

Tamara Tucker said her Pink Hanger Collection Boutique (pinkhangerboutiqueocala.com) in downtown Ocala will have in-store specials on Black Friday, and the first 25 customers with a qualifying purchase will get a free swag bag.

The boutique, which features clothing like the Free People line of dresses, apparel, gifts and accessories, will post specials on Facebook and Instagram.

Hand sanitizer and optional mask wearing are safety steps in place at the store.

Marlin Walker with Tumbleweed of Ocala (on Facebook), said the furniture and antique store on South Magnolia will offer Black Friday discounts and post specials on Facebook and Instagram.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday store hours 2021

Walmart: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. Friday.

Target: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday

Best Buy: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. Friday.

Dillard's: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 9 a.m. Friday.

Dollar General: Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday

Kohls: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. Friday.

Marshalls: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m. Friday

T.J. Maxx: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday

Old Navy: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. Friday.

Macy’s: Closed Thanksgiving. Open Friday 6 a.m.

JCPenney: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

Big Lots: Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving; Friday hours vary by location.

CVS: Thanksgiving hours vary by location. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

Staples: Closed Thanksgiving. Friday hours vary by location.

Dick’s Sporting Goods: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.

Home Depot: Closed Thanksgiving. Friday hours vary by location.

Lowes: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

Sources: Akron Beacon-Journal, USA Today, store websites

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala Black Friday shoppers, online and in-person, are ready to go