RETAIL SHIFT
Retailers adjust their plans for changing shopping patterns
Thanksgiving welcomed what arguably is the biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year.
It started early when a few, select retailers opened their doors. Pleasant weather helped encourage shoppers to do some exploring.
JCPenney opened its stores across the country Thursday afternoon.
At its store just across from Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, there was a good crowd of shoppers on hand for the event. Roy Ogden, manager of the store, said he was pleased with the turnout he saw.
“This year is the first year we carried TVs and electronics — PlayStation 4,” Ogden said. “We had a
great turnout for those.
“There is a lot of excitement, that Black Friday buzz,” he said, describing the store’s vibe. “Customers have been smiling the entire time. It has definitely been a tremendous event for us.”
Turnout appeared it was going to be good at other area retailers as well, as customers were seen lining up outside of Best Buys, Kohl’s and other stores planning openings late Thursday afternoon.
Stores at OKC Outlets also opened later in the day. At 5 p.m., those that were open had good crowds inside. Lines were forming outside of others that planned 6 p.m. starts.
Shopper Chrissy Marik, of El Reno, said she and her two sisters always go shopping on Thanksgiving as part of a family tradition.
“We are in trouble if we don’t,” said Marik, as she and her sisters shopped at a Bath & Body Works at OKC Outlets. “It’s been a sister thing for quite a few years.”
Marik said they usually plan a pretty packed night, but said this year, they’ll probably get done earlier than normal.
“We did a lot of online shopping this year,” she said, laughing.
The retail stores at OKC Outlets were scheduled to stay open all night, and so were area Kohl’s stores. By all indications, it seemed holiday shopping got off to a good start, indeed.
Growth predicted
The National Retail Federation is optimistic about this year’s shopping season.
The organization expects holiday retail sales across the nation (excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurants) in November and December to increase enough to generate another $20 billion-plus in sales for the period.
The federation’s top executive and its chief economist attributed the prediction to strong consumer confidence and an extra day to get those lastminute deals.
Christmas falls 32 days after Thanksgiving this year, one day more than last year, and is on a Monday instead of Sunday, giving consumers an extra weekend day to complete their shopping, they observed.
Using data on consumer credit, disposable personal income and previous monthly retail sales, they said they expect consumers to spend at least $678.75 billion this year, up from $655.8 billion last year.
“Our forecast reflects the very realistic steady momentum of the economy and overall strength of the industry,” federation President and CEO Matthew Shay said.
Friday’s hours
One store that won’t be open Friday is BC Clark Jewelers.
The company said it will keep its stores closed for Family Friday for a second year in a row, with top executives saying they decided to put employees and their families before profits.
“Last year, we decided to take a risk and close our three locations on Black Friday to give our employees a paid day to spend with friends and family,” said Coleman Clark, president of BC Clark Jewelers. “The initiative was met with such a warm and overwhelming response, it was an easy decision to do it again this year.”
Clark observed BC Clark Jewelers always has been a family business.
“Family Friday is our way of honoring our employees for helping make our company successful for so many years.”
Many stores across the Oklahoma City area, however, plan early starts on Friday.
Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Tractor Supply open at 5 a.m., and Atwoods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Big Lots and JOANN open at 6 a.m.
Home Depot, Lowe’s and Macy’s open at 6 a.m. And Sooner Mall, Penn Square Mall and Quail Springs Mall open at 6 a.m., too.
Cavender’s, Hahn Appliance Warehouse, PetSmart, Metro Shoe Warehouse, Golf Galaxy and Sam’s Clubs open at 7 a.m. Best Buy and Conn’s HomePlus open at 8 a.m.
Many other businesses also plan special hours for Black Friday. Check their websites or call them for more information.
Next up is Shop Small Saturday, a program created by American Express that encourages shoppers to support their local retailers.
After that, you’ve got Cyber Monday (though, most retailers already have rolled out many of their online promotions that used to be reserved for that day on their websites to encourage shoppers to buy now).
Gabriella Santaniello, founder of retail research firm A Line Partners, said it doesn’t surprise her that retailers are evaluating what shopping hours make the most sense for them and their employees both this weekend and others during the holiday season.
“At the end of the day, it’s expensive to open on Thanksgiving,” Santaniello said. “It is just getting to the point that they realize it is just as effective for them to be open online, where they are open all the time and can run special discounts and promotions.
“They are just as likely to get the sale there as they would if they opened their retail store,” she said.