The Black Friday experience may have changed, but millions still expect to shop in-store

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Unlike previous years, malls were eerily quiet in the hours leading up to Black Friday, but retail experts said shoppers were expected to continue flocking to stores.

The day after Thanksgiving usually brought long lines and rushes to stores – also known as Black Friday.

It’s a shopping experience that will remain etched in Victoria Walker’s memory forever.

“The Playstation had just come out,” Walker recalled. “There were a lot of people running around. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never seen anything like this before!’ It was crazy.

But the crowds, long lines and chaos have become too much for some.

“I gave up on that a long time ago,” Walker explained. “It’s too much. It’s too much.”

However, Black Friday is not dead. The National Retail Federation stated that 76 million people shopped in-store on Black Friday in 2023. But that’s eight million fewer than four years ago. However, this year might be different because Black Friday is so late.

“That certainly means we’re expecting a lot of activity, record shopping and at least about 183 million consumers around Thanksgiving weekend,” said Katherine Cullen, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation.

If you’re one of them, Houston police officers have some advice on how to stay safe.

• Instead of keeping your wallet in your back pocket, put it in your front pocket.
• If you eat in the food court, be careful because officials say bags can be exchanged.
• Try to shop before it gets dark.
• If you’re alone, don’t be afraid to ask for someone to accompany you to your car, whether it’s a store clerk or a security guard.

If you’re planning on shopping in-store this weekend, you may want to wait until Sunday. According to the National Retail Federation, about 40 million fewer people shopped on the Sunday of Thanksgiving week last year than on Friday.

It’s an annual shopping tradition that has changed over the years. While some like to escape the chaos, they miss the uniqueness that the shopping experience can bring.

“It’s kind of good and bad because you don’t meet people,” Walker said. “It used to be that you stood in line and met new people and a new audience. Now everyone is at home and shopping online.”

Giving retailers the sales they’re looking for, but giving shoppers a change from the chaotic day they’ve known for years.

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