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.
But there were some issues in the area. Some reported long lines of traffic as thousands of shoppers flocked to the popular shopping spot.
“Honestly, I enjoy Black Friday shopping the craziness and so I just embrace it. Just have fun be patient,” Daniella Darling said.
St. Johns Town Center representatives said the best thing people can do is show up early.
While the online shopping hasn’t completely taken away from the in-person turnout, it has pushed stores to extend their “Black Friday deals” which means the traffic might be here to stay.
“It’s going to feel like this just about every day from a traffic standpoint so if you’re not able to make it out today or this weekend, get here early don’t wait,” said Sean Carroll, General Manager at St. Johns Town Center.
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.
