Shoppers Storm Baltimore-Area Malls To Hit Up Black Friday Deals
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Black Friday shopping is well underway, and at the Towson Town Center, many stores opened Thursday night.
The center's Macy's location opened at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and many other stores opened at 6 p.m. to accommodate early shoppers.
But Friday is still the busiest shopping day of the year.
Santa: "What would you like?"
"I would like a truck that goes 25 miles per hour," said 5-year-old Logan.
Logan cuts to the chase in his time with Santa on Friday.
The Towson Town Center's Santa Claus was all ears, and the mall's stores were all business.
"I think the anticipation of Christmas, it's been building. So, now I think it's, from here, ready, set, go," said Lily Pulitzer manager Rachel Joram. "Our customers are shopping for Christmas since October, so I think we've had Christmas music playing for a couple weeks now."
For store managers, Black Friday is part of beating the challenge of competing with online shopping.
"Try is to buy always, so we're starting to see a little bit more increase." said L'Occitane manager Tonya Little.
Meanwhile, at big retail stores like Best Buy, the deals still attract shoppers in.
"A few years ago, it was just terrible, but it feels like the internet took some of the pressure off of it. There's like a buffer. A few years ago, it was just chaos, right? Just mayhem." said Bill Howard, who scored a TV this Black Friday.
More than 165 million Americans are expected to shop from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, with more than a third of shoppers planning to do most of their shopping Friday.
It's a big change from last year, because Thanksgiving fell later this year- and you now have 26 shopping days until Christmas.
That's six less days to shop!
Although, shopper Ray Moore already knows what he's getting his family.
"Oh, they'll be alright. I'll just give 'em cash. It's fine," He laughed.
Less time to shop- and less time for Santa to get those wishlists.
Logan told WJZ what Santa can't get him, he hopes his dad can get the rest.
As far as Friday's store hours, the Towson Town Center will stay open until 9 p.m. Anne Arundel Mills closes at 9:30, and the White Marsh Mall, the Mall in Columbia and Annapolis Westfield are all open until 10 p.m.
