JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Black Friday is considered the Super Bowl of shopping or the kickoff for the holiday shopping season.
However, in the digital age, a great debate about traditional versus online shopping arises regarding this holiday.
Some of us may remember when people lined outside of stores and camped all night in hopes of grabbing doorbusters.
As the years went on, those traditions changed. Now, a bulk of shopping is happening online.
Despite the convenience and ease of online shopping, the National Retail Federation reported two-thirds of Black Friday shoppers plan to shop in stores.
Early risers pound the pavement at the St. John’s Town Center Friday morning. Many who spoke with News4JAX said they have planned for this moment all year.
“The hype of it, the lights, the shop, all of it,” said Lacey Kinsey. “Starbucks in hand, it’s just a different experience.”
This is now a 10-year tradition for Kinsey and she said she makes sure to put money aside throughout the year just so she can splurge on this day and she has to do it in-store and not online.
She wasn’t the only one, Kaylee Ricketts said online isn’t for her, and nothing beats an early morning shopping spree with a coffee in hand.
Despite inflation being a growing concern in the United States, the 2024 holiday spending is expected to hit a record of nearly one trillion dollars.
Retail sales are expected to reach a record-breaking $75 billion.
