Gone are the days when stores opened on Thanksgiving for a jump start on Black Friday shopping. For the fourth year running, Black Friday will be primarily be celebrated on Friday, due to the fact that major stores have decided to no longer open on Thanksgiving Thursday.
Retailers large and small are expecting to open their doors bright and early on Black Friday, which is commonly known as the most hectic buying day of the year.
What is the timeframe for stores to open?
On the day following Thanksgiving, many prominent stores will begin operating several hours prior to their normal schedule.
The following is an updated list of store hours, which can change as retailers announce them:
Bass Pro Shops
Will open at 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Best Buy
Will open at 5 a.m. The store is already running many black Friday sale specials deals.
Cabela’s
Will open at 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Costco
9 a.m. until the regular closing time
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and runs until 10 p.m.
Dollar General
Normal operating hours
Gap
Each store will vary, some have plans to open at 5 a.m., check your local store
Home Goods
Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at the normal time
Kohl’s
Will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight
Lowe’s
Open at 6 a.m. and close at their usual closing time
JCPenney
Plans to open at 5 a.m.
Macy’s
Will open at 6 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.
Marshall’s
Will open their doors at 7 a.m.
Old Navy
Plans to open at 5 a.m., but some stores will vary
Target
Will open at 6 a.m.
TJ Maxx
Will open at 7 a.m.
Walmart’s
Will welcome Black Friday customers at 6 a.m.
What level of activity can be expected on Black Friday?
The National Retail Federation reported that the year 2022 saw the most shoppers on Black Friday in 3 years. There were 72.9 million people who shopped in-store, which was a rise from 66.5 million in the prior year. The Saturday after Thanksgiving also experienced a surge in customer numbers, as 64.4 million people made in-store purchases. Taking last year into account, it’s likely that stores will be very busy.
However, the number of shoppers for Black Friday 2022 was lower than it had been prior to the pandemic. According to the National Retail Federation in 2019, there were 84.2 million people who visited stores on the Friday after Thanksgiving, in addition to the 59.9 million on the Saturday after the holiday and the 37.8 million who shopped on Thanksgiving Day.
The National Retail Federation has predicted that in comparison to the 2022 holiday season, consumer spending is likely to see a rise of between 3% and 4% in the current year.
Experts believe that despite various challenges such as rising inflation, costly fuel, tough credit requirements, and higher interest rates, consumers are still in control and remain strong. They believe that shopping is anticipated to continue through the end of the year, however, at a slower rate.
A good way to dodge the throngs is to take advantage of Black Friday deals that are available online. During the Thanksgiving weekend of the previous year, over 130 million citizens of the United States made purchases through the internet.
