Black Friday Coming Early This Year
MIAMI (CBS4) - Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when, traditionally, all holiday shopping bedlam breaks out as shoppers take advantage of super deals designed to kick start the holiday retail season promises to just as bedlam-filled this year.
Alice Marshall, shopping for staples today at a Kmart in North Miami, didn't hesitate when asked if she'll venture out on Black Friday.
"Of course! I'll be looking for the good buys," Marshall exclaimed.
And the stores' websites have been hyping the big day for days, shouting out Black Friday bargains at Target, Best Buy, Kmart, Wal-Mart, PetSmart, all the marts.
Kmart will sell you a 24" LED TV for just $88. Wal-Mart has an HP Laptop computer for a super low $279. Target offers a Barbie Doll and Furniture Set for $35, a $24 savings. Best Buy has priced a 40" Toshiba LCD TV at $179, a discount of $240. PetSmart has a Sunbeam Gourmet Doggie Treat Maker for $19.99, a savings of 33 percent.
"Black Friday is like a Super Bowl for retailers," said Arianna Suarez, manager of the Wal-Mart Super Store in Hialeah Gardens. "Right now we're very excited and we're ready to win."
This year, kick-off comes early.
Best Buy will open at midnight Thanksgiving night. Target will open at 9 p.m. Thursday. Wal-Mart opens at 8 O'clock Thanksgiving night, and, topping them all, Kmart will open at 6 O'clock Thanksgiving morning,
Some think we've moved Black Friday up too far.
"Unfortunately, people have gotten away from the fact that holidays mean peace and brotherhood," said Earl Howard, shopping at the North Miami Kmart. "Instead it's becoming about money and items and things like that."
PetSmart, while offering lots of Black Friday specials will not be open Thanksgiving day, opening it's doors to pet lovers instead at 7 a.m. Black Friday.
"We want our employees to be home with their families, enjoying the holiday, giving thanks," a PetSmart spokesperson told CBS4 News.
At Wal-Mart and Kmart stores in South Florida Friday there were large displays of Christmas trees and holiday decorations, as they and other major retailers move to get seasonal business going as early as possible in a difficult economic environment.
