Rhode Islanders disappointed by slow Black Friday turnout

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) – Shoppers hit the stores for Black Friday, but this year, crowds were nothing compared to years past.

The Thanksgiving tradition lacked lines or a rush to get in the doors in Rhode Island. Many shoppers told ABC 6 News they missed the old days.

“No standing in long lines outside, being cold, waiting to come in. Nobody is aggressive ever,” Gina Gentile and Shannon Withey said. “We miss the crowds, very much so. It’s an adrenaline rush. It’s never pushing somebody to get to something, but it’s the race of ‘oh, we have to get to this store, I really need this item, are they even going to have it in stock?’ It’s exciting! We don’t have that now.”

Gina Gentile and Shannon Withey are serious about Black Friday. The two have matching shirts to celebrate their annual shopping spree and a long history of waking up to hit the Warwick Mall. They said this year was the slowest they’ve ever seen it.

“I’ve been shopping for 26 years on Black Friday and it’s our 12th year together,” Withey said. “On Thanksgiving night, we sit down and we do our list. We get ourselves ready and come here and go to the ornament store and always get a special ornament. It’s just fun.”

Many stores are now opening later or not at all. This year, shoppers had a new set of obstacles to deal with as businesses struggle to recover from the pandemic and face worker shortages and supply chain issues.

“I always remember waking up at like 3 a.m. to leave at 4 and we found ourselves searching online to find out what was open today,” Shay Rivera said. “It’s more of an online thing now.”

Inside stores, shoppers saw fewer deals, more items out of stock, and shipping delays. Those buying gifts likely felt it in their wallet. Inflation is now at a 30-year high. Some gifts are five to 17% more expensive than last year.

Online sales are skyrocketing. Across the country, sales hit $72-billion dollars just in the month of November, up 20% from last year.