Saratoga gears up for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
Shoppers will head to the stores in search of deals on merchandise
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> As cooks around the country are brining, stuffing and roasting their Thanksgiving turkeys in preparation for Thursday’s big meal, the shoppers among the family are gearing up for two other holidays: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
More than 164 million consumers plan to shop over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“Whether it’s heading to the stores after finishing their turkey or going online on Cyber Monday consumers will be shopping all weekend and retailers will be ready to meet the demand,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in the study’s release.
The survey found that of those planning to shop during the long holiday weekend 21 percent (34 million) plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, but Black Friday will remain the busiest day with 71 percent (116 million) planning to shop.
A total of 41 percent (67 million) are expected to shop on Small Business Saturday, and 78 percent of those say they will do so specifically to support small businesses. On Sunday, 20 percent (32 million) are expected to shop, before the shopping weekend wraps up on Cyber Monday, when 46 percent (75 million) anticipate taking advantage of online bargains.
Holiday spending is predicted to total at about $720 billion, the NRF said, with each consumer spending an average of $1,007.24 throughout this holiday season, up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 they said they would spend last year.
“Confidence is near an alltime high, unemployment is the lowest we’ve seen in decades and take-home wages are up,” Shay said in a press release. “All of that is reflected in consumers’ buying plans.”
A portion of this grand spending total will be exchanged within the Capital Region economy, including the Spa City community. Once again, Network Saratoga is inviting shoppers to be part of an annual Black Friday Saratoga event at many different locations in downtown Saratoga Springs. On this day, the local boutiques and shops in the downtown area aim to offer attendees a good reason to get a head start on shopping local before Small Business Saturday.
A dozen stores plan to open their doors at 6 a.m. or earlier, offering progressive savings of 50 percent off from 6 to 7 a.m., 40 percent off from 7 to 8 a.m., 30 percent off from 8 to 9 a.m. and 20 percent off throughout the rest of the day on either everything or select items throughout their shops. Those stores include, Amour New York, Loft, Impressions of Saratoga, iRun LOCAL, Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company, Saratoga Botanicals Organic Spa & Store, Saratoga Guitar, Saratoga Juice Bar/Legacy Juice Works, Saratoga Saddlery, Spoken Boutique, Tushita Heaven, and Yellow Boutique.
The other 2018 Black Friday Saratoga participants opening at 6 a.m. or later and offering other discounts are Caroline & Main, Celtic Treasures, Crafters Gallery, Lifestyles of Saratoga, Northshire Bookstore, Raina’s Jewelry & Gifts and Saratoga Olive Oil.
“Black Friday Participant”
sandwich boards, window signs and balloons will differentiate the storefronts of participating Black Friday Saratoga businesses.
The first shoppers who make a purchase in each business will receive a complimentary Black Friday Saratoga shopping bag, while supplies last.
For more information about the Black Friday Saratoga shopping event, visit www.facebook.com/ blackfridaysaratoga. All businesses and their hourly offerings will be listed at www.blackfridaysaratoga. com before Tuesday morning, along with some Small Business Saturday offers.
“I think people might be surprised at the deep discounting a number of local, independently owned firms downtown do early on this day every year,” said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said about Black Friday. “We’re talking 50 percent and 40 percent discounts early in the morning on a wide selection of unique and amazing items that will make great gifts. The local owners I talk to when I’m out on Black Friday generally see locals and long-standing customers during this special event and so it’s a fun way for them to kick off the Holiday shopping season.”
Small Business Saturday, Shimkus continued, is a lot more comprehensive with small businesses across the region taking part.
“I think this event has become a more widely recognized kick off to the Holiday shopping season with an emphasis and focus on driving customers to local, independently owned stores and shops,” he said. “We are so fortunate to have so many small independently owned small businesses in our villages, town centers, and downtowns. These are the firms that make our communities unique. They are in fierce competition with online retailers and we need to them to survive. Small Business Saturday is thus an important reminder for those who want to help these local stores and shops to succeed, grow and thrive.”
Shop owner Christina Myers, who opened Old Saratoga Mercantile in Schuylerville last year, said Black Friday was slow but Small Business Saturday was booming. “I’m not a chain and didn’t have all those flashy sales,” she said of the Friday holiday. However, “On Small Business Saturday, I was very, very busy all day,” Myers shared, noting that the business had banners and promoted the day online.
“Many, many customers commented that they were out spending that day, with purpose, in support of small businesses,” she continued. “I’m looking forward to that atmosphere again this year, it’s nice to have the community appreciate what we are doing.”