Black Friday is the high holiday for serial shoppers, and social distancing and mask wearing are not going to keep them away from the thrill of the deal at brick and mortar stores. But it does beg a few questions. Here are some answers.
Is Black Friday canceled this year?
The answer is a resounding NO!
Camping out at a local big box retailer to snag a giant TV at rock-bottom prices might not be a thing this year, but, despite the pandemic, a total of 9% of those surveyed by Shopkick are planning to shop in store only; 71% said they will shop both online and in-store and 13% said they will shop exclusively online.
How is shopping different this year?
Black Friday deals have been going since Halloween candy was cleared off shelves. Many retailers are already offering online and in-store deals with lengthier sale periods to keep shoppers safe and happy.
Some stores have made special accommodations to keep shoppers safe, like widening aisles, adding cash registers to avoid congestion and limiting shoppers allowed in the store at any one time. They are even offering shopping appointments.
How can I get the best deals?
- Be prepared with a game plan and a budget.
- Know pre-discount prices so you know if you are truly getting a bargain.
- Use ship-to-store with curbside pickup to avoid shipping costs and delays.
- Downloads your favorite store apps to view current sales.
If you own a business, here are a few ways to keep your customers and employees safe:
- Keep high-touch areas clean and sanitize often.
- Provide hand-sanitizing stations at store entrances.
- Limit the number of shoppers in the store at one time.
- Require shoppers and employees to wear a mask (already mandated in most states).
- Install barriers between checkout aisles and between the customer and cashier.
- Offer curbside pick-up.
Happy shopping!