WACO, TX — It’s the day after Thanksgiving, which means many of you are now hitting the retail stores to catch the big deals on Black Friday.
This year, many people are taking advantage of take-out options or simply ordering online.
Many retail stores across the country, including ones like Target, have extended their Black Friday deals for longer periods of time and developed drive-up options to prevent crowding.
Store Director Christina Ferber, has been with Target in Waco for 10 years now, and she said this the smallest Black Friday crowd the store has seen.
“We opened at 7 am, and there were roughly 100 people when we opened the doors, so a decent sized crowd, but definitely less than we have seen in the past,”said Ferber.
Due to the pandemic, Target and many other large retail stores changed their Black Friday hours and extended their deals this year to prevent over crowding.
“We intentionally spread out our deals starting in October so that people had more time to shop and take advantage of those great deals and not have them all on one day which worked really well,”said Ferber.
“It’s definitely less packed. Less chaotic. I haven't seen quite as many people. Not really having to bump into people. Normal shopping it seems like,”said Black Friday shopper, Samantha Parker.
“We need happiness and joy. It’s nice to see people out and about,”said Jocelyn Parker.
The Parker Family has gone Black Friday shopping every year, and while they enjoy shopping in person, they were also shocked with the lack of crowds.
“I think also people may not have a job. Maybe not have as much money. It’s sad, but the truth," said Cassidy Parker.
"I think more people have said that they’re gonna shop online,”said Samantha Parker.
Whether it's in store or online, shoppers are still excited to take part in the season for giving with their friends and family.
If you have a certain gift in mind be sure to check with the store, because Target and many other retail stores are offering free drive-up options or online deals to help limit the time shoppers spend in stores.
