Black Friday has been on the decline for years due to the arrival of Cyber Monday and online sales, which offer consumers equally significant discounts without having to wait in lines. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic, it seems like Black Friday is a thing of the past as retailers seek new ways to entice customers. This year, the holiday shopping season is going to look totally different from what it was before. Here is what you can expect.
An Extended Sales Season
Black Friday has always been about being first in line. Historically, people will pitch tents and camp out for days ahead of time to secure the hottest new products of the season at a steep discount. However, this year retailers are moving away from a 24-hour blitz and instead offering extended sales both in stores and online.
Earlier Deals
Traditionally, Black Friday is on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day, but due to the shift to online sales, many retailers are starting sales earlier in the hopes of taking customers from their competitors. A number of massive institutions such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have been offering extensive deals since October.
Pop-Ups & Crowd Control
There has been a huge shift towards online shopping and the CDC has declared malls and shopping centers to its list of high-risk locations for corona exposure, there is sure to be a massive influx of people during the holidays. To tailor to customers and adhere to limitations on the number of people that can be in a store, many retailers are offering pop-up shops near their locations, as well as extending hours well beyond normal during the holiday season.
