NEW YORK—Door buster sales swept New York City even earlier this year, with department stores opening as early as 5 p.m. Thursday, tempting consumers to hunt for deals rather than spend family time and relax after dinner.
First in was Toys R Us, which opened its weekend sales at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, followed by Best Buy at 6 p.m., then Macy’s, OfficeMax, and Staples opening their doors at 8 p.m.
It was Macy’s first time to open as early as Thanksgiving evening and they offered specials throughout the night. Its advertisement suggested, “Start after Thanksgiving dinner.”
Last year, Target opened at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and Wal-Mart opened for early bird specials an hour before that. Macy’s, Kohls, and Best Buy opened at midnight.
Retailers have pushed opening times into Thanksgiving night over the past few years to outdo each other and vie for holiday dollars. They’ve also pushed up discounting that used to be reserved for Black Friday into early November, which has led retail experts to question whether Thanksgiving will steal some of Black Friday’s thunder.
Data shows that Thanksgiving openings last year took a bite out of Black Friday. Sales on turkey day were $810 million last year, an increase of 55 percent from the previous year as more stores opened on the holiday, according to Chicago research firm ShopperTrak. But business dropped 1.8 percent to $11.2 billion on Black Friday, though it was still the biggest shopping day last year.
“Black Friday is now Grey Friday,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail consultancy. “It’s been pulled all the way to the beginning of November.” Many other people, trying to adjust to the new trend, and wishing to retain Black Friday, are dubbing Thursday “Grey Thursday.”
Approximately 97 million people will be shopping this Friday, according to the National Retail Federation.
Some store workers, however, are not pleased and have started petitions on change.org to protest against Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and others, for asking their workers to sacrifice family dinner.
The most popular petition, with more than 109,000 signatures, was launched by Patricia Stumpff, a Target employee from Dayton, Ohio, who has the holiday off, but wants all of her colleagues to be able to enjoy the day with their loved ones.
The Retail Action Project, a labor-backed group of retail workers, is also planning to have members speak to customers at stores including Gap and Victoria’s Secret in Midtown Manhattan to educate them about the demands on workers.
Black Friday on Fifth Avenue and Beyond
Luxury stores on Fifth Avenue offer only modest online and in-store discounts, but for brand-conscious shoppers, visiting stores over the weekend offers the supreme enjoyment of festive decor and unique holiday items.
Bergdorf Goodman has a special page inviting customers to “Join the Festivities” with special discounts on fashion and sportswear.
Saks Fifth Avenue opens early at 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, and offers discounts of 60 percent online and in-store, in addition to free shipping and free returns.
Tiffany & Co., however, has no unique offers, and is closed during the holiday. The store reopens Friday for regular hours, but has kicked off the holiday shopping season by offering complimentary shipping on all orders.
The Apple Store will have exclusive sales online starting at midnight Friday until midnight Saturday, and in store during its extended hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday Neighborhood Shopping
For those who prefer to savor life’s simpler pleasures, such as more time with family and friends, many of New York’s less-flashy business districts are pairing fun-filled events with shopping opportunities in celebration of Small Business Saturday. These areas offer an escape from long lineups and a friendly shopping experience.
Park Slope is hosting its first Festive Fifth event—punctuated with a reminder to shop small. Over 400 independent shops, bars, and restaurants along the 30-block stretch of Fifth Avenue from Dean Street (just behind Barclay’s Center) to 18th Street, are staying open Saturday until 9:00 p.m.
Small Business Saturday is gaining traction, especially this year. “It’s partly as a response to the rampant commercialism of Black Friday,” said Carol Klenfner, spokeswoman for the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District.
A tree lighting at veggie cafe S’Nice is the highlight of the Brooklyn community event. Middle school students from M.S. 51 will carol. The Rolie Polie Guacamole band and Puppetry Arts will perform. Guests will be treated to hot chocolate and candy canes. Meanwhile, Santa Claus will cruise up and down the avenue in an antique car.
There are no chain stores on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope. It is full of unique shops, with more of an upstart feel.
“It is the authentic Fifth Avenue, the one where privately-owned hardware stores and trendy boutiques are next to each other,” said Klenfner.
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store has a section just for stocking stuffers, such as Atari joystick gum, Bananagrams, and long striped socks with messages such as “fruitcake,” “speed demon,” and “bookworm.” Do a Yelp check-in to get a free “naughty or nice” button, and then stop by for Brooklyn-branded letterpress holiday cards.
The highly acclaimed Freddy’s Bar, known for its staff’s funny quirks, comedy, and great music, as well as the fact that it got even better after being forced to move to make way for the new Barclays Center, will project holiday family movies on its outside wall.
American Express cardholders who register online can receive $10 back when they shop at a small business. Ann Cantrell, owner of Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, said she appreciates that the card processor realizes “the importance of all the little movements that make up a much larger community.”
The Flatiron District in Manhattan will also mark Small Business Saturday with a giant prize wheel at its north plaza in front of the Flatiron Building. Visitors can win offerings from favorite Flatiron businesses such as 24 hour Fitness, Busy Bee Cleaning Services, Eataly, Greensquare Tavern, Lois Lane Travel, Sweet Green, among others.
Cyber Monday
The advantage of shopping online is that the Internet never closes. Businesses are embracing online shopping this year like never before, with websites decked out in holiday cheer, and retail holiday gift guides galore.
For example, Eataly in the Flatiron District is advertising its Italian Panettoni and Pandori holiday cakes filled with candied fruit, raisins, and chocolate, offering plenty of choice. Wines, specialty oils, truffles, and designer kitchen gear all make great gifts.
Most retailers specifically advertise the benefits of shopping online on Thanksgiving Day Thursday when many stores are closed, or when customers may prefer the comforts of home. A survey conducted by Shop.org found 53.5 percent of online retailers were planning promotions specifically for Thursday.
However, sales continue throughout the weekend, with Cyber Monday extending the cascade of offers beyond the weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
