The United States’ tradition of sales the day after Thanksgiving will see thousands of shoppers flocks to stores on 25th November 2011. It is hoped that heavy discounting and special offers will buoy spending in the USA and online.
Gap’s brands will open almost 1,000 stores next week with large crowds expected to rush into outlets for the best deals on clothing and competition prizes. Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta will have extended hours, mostly opening from midnight. The event will boost sales in an effort to match 2010’s net sales of $14.7 billion.
Walmart will be opening late on Thanksgiving after a customer survey showed shoppers prefer to stay up late than get up early. The company has even gone as far as pre-publishing deals and maps of the store floor so that shoppers can be ultra-prepared to zoom in and snatch the deal that they want.
Nearly 1800 Target stores will open at 00:00 on Black Friday and will vie against Walmart with yet another price match deal.
In the past, shoppers have been killed and injured by the crush caused when stores open for Black Friday. The extended shopping hours and midnight openings may well go some way to spreading the initial rush for deals.
