The Oxford Valley Mall opened their doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. By midnight, more than 8,000 people swelled the mall looking to get early Black Friday deals.
The early opening was part of a new trend that has swept chain stores throughout the nation in recent years, as Black Friday shopping turned into post-Thanksgiving meal shopping.
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“Last year was midnight, and this year was 8,” Director of Marketing for the Oxford Valley Mall Jim Malervy said. Previous to that, the mall opened in the wee hours of Black Friday morning.
Foot traffic through the mall quadrupled through the evening at the mall where 90 percent of stores opened on Thanksgiving, Malervy said. “We’re expecting more than 50,000 by the end of today.”
From Best Buy to the area Walmarts, people packed into stores throughout the night and day.
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Some waited in long lines before the stores opened and others waited to get the deal they wanted on discounted “door-buster” electronic.
Over the course of the four-day weekend, up to 140 million people are expected to visit retail stores or go online to shop. The projection from the National Retail Federation marks a decline from last year’s 147 estimated shoppers on the same weekend.
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While shopping nationally may be on the decline this year, Malervy told LevittownNow.com, “It’s a great day to make money.”
From LevittownNow.com readers:
Jamie Sawyer Falkevitz: “Started at Walmart in Tullytown was 3rd in line for the $98 tv had no problems at all. Got all my shopping done while waiting in line. I waited to get my TV in hand wasn’t taking any chances. The line to check out went smooth. They were a bit unorganized especially in the iPad mini section but they took care of it. I went to old navy next the sale was awesome I saved more than I spent! Toys r us, staples, jcpenney, sears no problems no lines! Target waited in line but not as long as last year! It was a great shopping day for us! Can’t wait until next year!
Jackie Gumbert: Refused to go out before midnight! The longest (and only) line I stood in was at Home Depot and it was a mad dash for the Martha Stewart christmas tree, although they had tons of them!
Maryanne Boyle: Went thanksgiving and kohls was full of people and walmart had tv for 98 .oo but had 109 of them so they Gave u a card to pay for it and pick up later people cutting in line was the worst
