Black Friday shoppers turned out for in-store only deals

BURLINGTON - An estimated 166 million Americans are expected to shop from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation -- that's 8 million more than last year.

While tens of thousands are expected to shop online, there were plenty of people at the Burlington Mall when it opened at 6 a.m., most of them teenagers.

"A lot of the deals are only offered in-store," Sheila Hennessy, the director of mall marketing, told WBZ-TV. "The stores have done a great job, the inventory, the color, the selection, the sizes, it's all here and the best thing is, when you shop in-store you get to take it home with you and you don't have to wait for the delivery truck to bring it."

Hennessy said 33 new stores have opened at the Burlington Mall this year. It's open until 9 p.m. 

Black Friday customers tend to come in waves, Hennessy explained. 

"I think it's pretty good, we actually found a parking spot close to the building," said Shelly Fichera who was shopping with her kids. "We've been doing more online shopping but this year, I think everyone is sort of over the COVID stuff so people want to shop more, so we might have to kick it back up again."

For some, Black Friday shopping is a family tradition.

"Me and my mom have been doing this since I was what -- 16 years old," said Jessica Gierut. "And I always leave with stuff for me, it's never for Christmas, it's for me."

At Best Buy in Watertown, Diane Biaggioti was in the store to look for an iPad for her son to take to school. She said she's used to shopping on Black Friday.

"I've sat outside at midnight in the parking lot in snow flurries before online shopping, so yes, I love getting the deals on Black Friday," she said.

At the South Shore Plaza, decked in holiday cheer, Black Friday sales and discounts were posted everywhere.

"People are out here; they want to be able to leave with the gifts today. They don't want to have to worry about shipping or anything like that," said Jacquline Fitzgerald, director of marketing at South Shore Plaza.

Traffic was heavy Friday morning on Route 495 as shoppers descended on the Wrentham Outlets.

Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath tweeted video of the backups and advised drivers who are losing their patience to "go home, eat leftovers, shop another time."

In:
• Black Friday