Monday, November 21, 2011
Not long after families set aside time to spend together giving thanks, the holiday shopping season kicks off with Black Friday. Hoping for increased revenue and profits — going into the black, instead of the red — retailers are opening extra early to accommodate the kick off of the season of shopping.
Many popular stores including Macy’s and Best Buy are opening at midnight this year, while others — Wal-mart, Toys R Us and Hastings — are opening Thursday night. After opening at 5:00 a.m. last year, Best Buy sales associate Erin Thomas hopes the change will make handling customers’ needs easier. In years past, early morning openings have resulted in angry customers frustrated from lack of sleep and waiting in long lines.
“It won’t be as bad this year because people will be staying up late instead of getting up early,” said Thomas. “Usually when people are well rested they’re less irritable, and it’s easier to shop when you’re less irritated and not so rushed.”
While many deals are available online, some discounts are only offered in stores. Thomas expects buyers to be lined up five to six hours before opening to vie for the discounts, such as half-priced televisions.
Kohl’s department store is also opening at midnight and is staffing every employee to work — six times the number of those staffed on a normal day. Erica Olson, customer service area representative, recommends customers scope out what they are after before Black Friday.
“Come in beforehand and make a plan,” said Olson. “Know what you’re looking for and prepare to wait in line.”
Customers should expect to wait an hour in line, Olson said, and although shopping early means fighting crowds, most merchandise is picked over by the end of the day.
Open from 9:00 p.m. until midnight Thursday and then reopening at 8:00 a.m. Friday, Hastings hopes to attract shoppers who are not regular customers.
“Black Friday generates a lot of revenue and gets new customers to experience our store,” said Randy Kent, manager in training.
One of the challenges the company always faces is selecting which products to sell, often decided a year in advance.
Kent points to patience — both for staff and customers — as important to making the day run smoothly. “We are going to work the fastest and best we can,” he said.
Black Friday store hours
Wal-Mart – 10 p.m. Thursday
Best Buy – midnight
Target – midnight
Sears – 4 a.m.
Kohl’s – midnight
Toys R Us – 9 p.m. Thursday
JC Penney – 4:00 a.m.
Lowes – 5:00 a.m.
K Mart – 5:00 a.m.
Staples – 6:00 a.m.
Macy’s - midnight
Old Navy - midnight
Although not opening at midnight, Bath and Body Works is opening at 5 a.m., an hour earlier than last year. Manager Vanessa Yunger said that the store is taking steps to make the day a positive experience for customers and employees.
“We are talking to our customers about the deals now rather than later,” Yunger said. “We are also recognizing employees who perform well by giving free items in the store.”
Employees will also be part of a potluck so they do not have to fight the crowds to get something to eat during their lunch break.
In order to keep staff fresh, each employee is expected to work only eight hours during a shift compared to Best Buy’s employee shifts, which are closer to 12 hours.
This year, Bath & Body Works is offering a wider range of gift sets and a limited quantity giveaway where customers can pay $20 for $100 worth of products.
Yunger said customers should make sure that an associate helps them take advantage of all the promotions, including combining coupons.
“Everybody in every store in every city is going through the same process to prepare so that the customers can have fun and save a lot of money,” Yunger said.
— Edited by Laura Nightengale
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