By: Erika Wuelfrath, Account Coordinator
For years, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a holiday where families and friends gather around the table and share a meal while spending quality time together. As most of us still continue this annual tradition, the Thanksgiving holiday has taken on a new meaning—shopping. The holiday season is swarmed with slashing prices on high-interest products like the new Apple iPad through the newly recognized “holidays” such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. During these high-frequency shopping days, consumers leave their families and a sink full of dirty dishes behind shortly after the Thanksgiving celebration to wait in lengthy lines for reduced-priced products. For the well-prepared consumer, an entire month of Christmas shopping can be accomplished within a few short hours.
This year, the Black Friday shopping holiday profited nearly two billion dollars in sold merchandise nationwide. Large companies like Wal-Mart reported sales of approximately 5,000 items per second between the times of 8 p.m. and midnight on Thanksgiving Day. Though there are a plethora of deals you may appear to be receiving by frantically running around the stores, is the stress really worth it? In the past, friends and family had encouraged me to endure this Black Friday mayhem … and I can promise you, I will never fall for that trap again. Midnight shopping on Thanksgiving inevitably leads to disaster—people trample all over your toes, time-consuming lines wrap around the store and don’t forget the aggressive deal-hunters who shove their way to the front of lines. When in pursuit of a good deal, do not underestimate the surrounding customers. One year, a Los Angeles woman resorted to pepper spray in order to keep nearby shoppers at bay while she snatched an Xbox for her two young sons.
Don’t get me wrong, Black Friday deals are great and there are many consumers who enjoy the thrill of the chase. However, who says the best deals are always in the store? Black Friday shoppers endure a great struggle in order to obtain an item (that is usually in very limited supply). But, why set your alarm to wait in a long line when you can have a peaceful nights sleep after your delicious Thanksgiving meal? With Cyber Monday (the online shopping holiday), shoppers are able to score some of the best deals, online. No lines, no screaming shoppers, no frantic rush—just comparison- shopping made easy from the comfort of their homes, or anywhere they choose.
As of this past week, shopping results express that Cyber Monday surpassed Black Friday in sales by nine percent, and with this increase, it is quickly rising as one of the best shopping holidays of the season. With Cyber Monday, consumers are able to compare all of their favorite brands and stores, while receiving massive percentage discount as well as free shipping (or in store pick-up) with a minimum purchase. Mobile applications and social media have also stepped up to the plate in order to better market, inform and assist shoppers with where and when to receive the best deals. In addition, many stores also send daily email reminders in order to reach out to former customers about in-store and online deals before and after the Thanksgiving holiday.
After reading this, you may think that shopping through the Thanksgiving holiday may not be your cup of hot cocoa. But, if you are willing to accept the challenge of shopping on this holiday, there may be some fun in it. Now, put your stress aside, and watch how two men made a hysterical adventure out of their Black Friday holiday .