Retailers, shoppers preparing for post-Thanksgiving frenzy

Door-busters, bargains and sales — oh my!

Black Friday is just hours away and area retailers — including most stores at the Valley Mall and Hagerstown Premium Outlets — are gearing up for midnight openings on the biggest holiday shopping day of the year.

But some will be opening up even earlier, operating with extended hours on Thanksgiving Day as a direct result of the tendencies and demand seen in recent years from shoppers eager to find the best deals on holiday gifts, according to some area retail officials.

Year after year, big-box retail chains have been opening ever earlier in an attempt to draw shoppers away from their competitors, a theory that’s driven by the belief that the earliest start times tend to draw more customers, according to economist Anirban Basu of the Sage Policy Group in Baltimore.

“The logic is that if we start Black Friday earlier, then we’ll win market share,” Basu said. “The end result is a collective move to start everything earlier.”

While midnight openings will still be going on all over the area, several retailers are continuing the earlier-opening race this year, some starting as early as Thanksgiving morning or afternoon or not closing on the holiday at all.

According to a pre-Black Friday survey by the National Retail Federation, approximately 147 million people plan to shop this weekend, although its a slight decrease from 152 million people a year ago.

“Though the Black Friday tradition is here to stay, there’s no question that it has changed in recent years; already there is a tremendous amount of excitement and anticipation surrounding retailers’ Thanksgiving and Black Friday promotions,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a news release on the NRF website. “It’s critical for retail companies to constantly evolve as consumers do, and right now shoppers want great deals, good value and convenience — exactly what we’re seeing with this season’s late and early openings, price-matching, layaway and mobile offerings.”

The emergence of social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and others, as well as email marketing have opened new avenues for retailers to connect with their customers on a daily basis, which also has led to increased participation in Cyber Monday online sales following the Black Friday in-store frenzy.

Locally, Walmart on Garland Groh Boulevard won’t deviate from its typical 24-hour operation throughout the holiday weekend and Kmart on Massey Boulevard plans to be up and running before many even begin preparing their holiday meals, opening its doors at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.

Near Walmart, H.H. Gregg will open at 10 p.m. Thursday and will stay open through 9 p.m. Black Friday, a store employee said.

Best Buy will be closed Thanksgiving and open Friday at midnight.

Deals on various types of merchandise — from electronics to clothing to jewelry and much more — will be in effect all weekend.

Numerous stores at the Valley Mall and Premium Outlets will open prior to the clock striking midnight to officially welcome Black Friday, some as early as 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

“There’s a competition,” said Michele Wills, marketing director for the Valley Mall. “The stores that open at midnight, there are other stores that are opening in the area at midnight, so there’s the competition for shoppers.”

Wills said mall retailers have been gearing up all week to get ready for the shopping rush, which includes Sears and Toys R Us opening at 8 p.m., four hours before the mall’s official opening time of midnight.

“Consistently year after year, sales have increased,” she said. “I know the National Retail Federation is predicting a 4 percent increase in sales from last year, and we usually follow a similar trend.”

Many stores will offer “rounds” of door-buster deals and markdowns throughout the weekend. Sears, which will open just its outside doors at the mall at 8 p.m., is one of those retailers.

Sears spokesman Brian Hanover said the company has heard “loud and clear” that there is a growing demand from shoppers who want to get out even earlier than midnight on Black Friday.

Hanover pointed to the increased convenience of the different ways Sears customers can shop, including online deals and an option where shoppers can buy online and then pickup items at the store.

“No matter what kind of shopper you are — late night, early morning, online — the face of shopping has changed and we want to be there no matter where our customers shop,” he said. “... There’s a demand there and we’re open to meet that demand. We feel it’s a smart business decision.”

Shoppers at Premium Outlets likely will be out in full force long before its “Midnight Madness” event begins, with dozens of stores planning 9 p.m., 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. openings, according to Angie Riford, assistant general manager of the outlets.

“Our shoppers have a long tradition of starting their Black Friday shopping at Hagerstown Premium Outlets and this will be our seventh year hosting Midnight Madness,” Riford said in an emailed statement. “Each year shoppers show up earlier and earlier so we once again will have stores opening at 9 p.m. Thursday night to serve the shoppers who come extra early and want to be the first to take advantage of the deals.

Early openings are a direct result of shopper demand.”

Another popular retailer, Kohl’s on Cole Road near the mall, will be open 24 hours on Friday, according to a store employee. Target on Cole Road opens at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving and closes at 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

Wills said the mall opened at midnight for the first time ever on Black Friday last year, and expects the busiest times to be from when doors open to about 2 a.m.

“It was very, very busy,” she said. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it ‘madness.’ But you can expect that there are going to be a lot of people here. Some of the lines may be long in the stores, but the retailers in the mall are prepared with extra people working to make the shopping experience pleasant.”

The mall will offer free refreshments and coupon bags while supplies last to those who wake up in time to snatch up those early-bird deals, Wills said.

“We’re working this week to have everything in place to make it a pleasant shopping experience for people coming in,” she said.

Safe shopping tips

With Black Friday shopping sales starting as early as Thanksgiving night, AAA Mid-Atlantic is warning shoppers to use caution and keep their calm while searching for that perfect parking spot.

“Tempers may be short as drivers circle the parking lot in search of an empty space,” said Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

With the start of the holiday shopping season, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following advice for navigating parking lots and protecting vehicles and pedestrians as they seek those special gifts and door busters:
 
Head for the side door — Many shoppers want to park near their favorite stores or near the mall entrance.

Most malls have secondary entrances on the sides and those entrances usually have less traffic and additional convenient spaces.
 
Play the outfield — Outlying areas normally have more open spaces, lighter traffic and a lower risk of collision. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to walk off the holiday treats. In some cases, however, those spaces may not be as secure so be aware of the risks.
 
See and be seen — Use your headlights when scouring parking garages for spaces, even in the daytime.

The light will let other cars see you coming around turns and can make fitting into that tight parking space a little easier. Research shows that keeping your headlights on reduces your crash risk even during daylight hours.

Beware of tall vehicles — Avoid parking between a pair of tall SUVs or minivans where it might be hard for you to back out of the space. If you can’t see well enough to back out safely, get help from one of your passengers.
 
Refrain from reverse — If possible, avoid backing out of a space by either backing into it or pulling through two spaces that are open nose-to-nose. In some municipalities, however, backing into spaces amid moving traffic is illegal. Also, be careful about impeding traffic flow.
 
Look out for little ones — It can be difficult to see small children in busy parking lots. Be aware of your surroundings and look for children, who may make quick, unpredictable movements. When walking to and from stores, hold the hands of your children to keep them safe from traffic.
 
Stay on track and alert — Pedestrians should use walkways and crosswalks, if available. If walking in the traffic lanes is unavoidable, be alert for subtle cues, including exhaust or reverse lights, that signal a vehicle is about to pull out. When behind the wheel, always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially small children.
 
Thieves like to window shop — Place all shopping bags and valuables in the trunk, including the GPS and its mount, so they won’t be visible to would-be thieves. Remove any evidence, such as GPS suction cup marks from the vehicle’s windshield. It takes a thief just seconds to smash a window and steal your shopping loot.
 
Stay on guard in parking lots — Choose a well-lighted area to park at night. When returning to your vehicle, have keys ready in hand and check the car’s interior before entering, using a penlight at night.

Report suspicious people or cars.
 
Slow down, buckle up — Even a low-speed collision can result in injuries. Make sure that everyone is strapped in a seat belt or child safety seat while the vehicle is in motion, even if it is just a short trip to another part of the parking lot.

Store hours for Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday:

Valley Mall - Midnight to 9 p.m. Black Friday
• Stores opening at midnight: American Eagle Outfitters, Auntie Anne’s, Bavarian Pretzel, BonTon, Books-A-Million, Boutique Fashions, Charlotte Russe, Claire’s Boutique, Cool Ice Ice Baby, Country Treasures, Deb, Finish Line, Fluff ‘N Stuff, Foot Locker, Gardner’s Candies, Icings by Claire’s, Justice, Macy’s, Matthew’s Hallmark, McDonalds, Olde Line Tattoo Gallery, PacSun, Piercing Pagoda, PS from Aeropostale, Radio Shack, Reeds Jewelers, Journeys, Sears (outside store entrance to open at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day), Shoe Dept., Things Remembered, Victoria’s Secret, Vitamin World
• Stores opening at 5 a.m.: As Seen on TV, AT&T Store, Christopher & Banks, Cindy’s Sweets & DeLite-Ful Treats, CJ Banks, Europe Nails, Hawkins Leather, Gold Buyers at the Mall, King’s Jewelry, SJ Express Repair, Valley Wine & Spirits, Sleep Number, Zales
• Other store opening times: LIDS, 2 a.m.; JC Penney, 6 a.m.; Men’s Warehouse, 7 a.m.; Alleghany Optical, 7:30 a.m.; Virginia BBQ, 8 a.m.

Hagerstown Premium Outlets - Midnight to 10 p.m. Black Friday
• Stores opening at 9 p.m., Thanksgiving Day: Andrea Carmona French Macaron, Ann Taylor, As Seen On TV, Auntie Anne’s, Bare Escentuals, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, The Children’s Place, China Max, Coach, Dairy Queen, Flamer’s Charbroiled, Gandolfo’s New York Deli, Hartstrings, Jockey, Joey’s Shoppers Outlet, JR Steakery, Kate Spade New York, Kirkland’s, New York & Company, Toys “R” Us Express, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen
• Stores opening at 10 p.m., Thanksgiving Day: Adidas, Aeropostale, AT&T Wireless, Bass, Bath & Body Works, Beauty Express, Bose, Carter’s, Catherine’s Plus Sizes, Columbia Sportswear, Direct Tools Factory Outlet, Fossil, Gap Outlet, Gap Outlet Kids & Baby, Go Calendars & Games, J. Crew, Lane Bryant, Lee Jeans Company, Levi’s, Major League Fans, Nike, Nine West, Oops!, OshKosh B’gosh, Pac Sun, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Rockport, Timberland, Time Factory Watch Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger, Ultra Diamonds, Under Armour, Under Armour Youth Performance Store, Van Heusen, Wilson’s Leather, Yankee Candle
• Stores opening at 11 p.m., Thanksgiving Day: Banana Republic, Crazy 8, Ecko Unltd., Guess, Lancome-Designer Fragrances & Costmetic Co., Lids, Rue 21

Kmart, 1713 Massey Blvd. - Thanksgiving Day into Black Friday: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m./8 p.m. to 3 a.m./ 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Walmart, 17850 Garland Groh Blvd. - 24 hours both days

Best Buy, 18053 Garland Groh Blvd. - Closed Thanksgiving; 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday

H.H. Gregg, 17766 Garland Groh Blvd. - 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day to 9 p.m. Black Friday

Kohls, 17145 Cole Road - Closed Thanksgiving; 12 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Black Friday

Target, 17213 Cole Road - 9 p.m. Thanksgiving to 11 p.m. on Black Friday