DACEY HAS MORE FROM THE MALL IN COLUMBIA. KIM: NO SHORTAGE OF SHOPPERS TODAY HERE AT THE MALL IN COLUMBIA EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF STORES OPEN ON THANKSGIVING BLACK FRIDAY IS STILL A TRADITION FOR MANY PEOPLE. >> IT’S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FOR LIKE GETTING DEALS BUT FOR OUR FAMILY TIME WE STILL ENJOY IT. KIM: IT’S A HOLIDAY TRADITION THAT SHOPPERS SAY IS GETTING BACK ON TRACK AFTER THE PANDEMIC. HITTING THE STORES THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION PREDICTS SALES WILL GROW BETWEEN 6% AND 8% THIS YEAR OVER LAST YEAR. INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN ONLINE SALES. >> MARY, ONLINE SALES IS JUST A -- ONLINE SALES IS JUST A PART OF HOW PEOPLE SHOP TODAY IT’S A GREAT ADDITION TO WHAT WE OFFER HERE. WE OFFER THE STOREFRONT WE OFFER THE EXPERIENCE WE OFFER THE TOUCH AND THE FEEL OF THE PRODUCTS AND WE ALSO OFFER THE GUARANTEE THAT YOU’LL HAVE IT FOR THE HOLIDAY. >> WE’RE TANGIBLE PEOPLE SO WE LIKE TO SEE THE STUFF TOUCH AND BE ABLE TO FEEL IT AND ITS MORE PERSONAL WHEN YOU’RE BUYING THE SHOPPING AND EVERYTHING. KIM: THE NRF MORE THAN 166 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE SHOPPING FROM THANKSGIVING THROUGH CYBER MONDAY. >> YOU KNOW CYBER MONDAY YOU’VE GOT TO SUPPORT THAT TOO. WE’RE BIG SUPPORTERS OF ALL WE’RE SHOPAHOLICS ANY SALES WE GET WE’RE GOING TO TAKE PART. KIM: THE NRF SAYS THIS YEAR MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO TRADITIONAL SHOPPING, AND MANY OF THESE VETERAN BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPERS HAVE ADVICE FOR FOLKS HITTING THE STORES THIS WEEKEND. >> PARK FAR AWAY AND GET IN AS SOON AS YOU CAN DON’T BE LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT TOO MUCH AND JUST ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE ENJOY THE PEOPLE ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE AND HAVE FUN WITH IT. >> PATIENTS AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED SO THAT’S MY ADVICE. KIM: AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT GIVING BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THE MALL IN COLUMBIA IS HOLDING A FOOD DRIVE THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY. IN COLUMBIA KIM DACEY WBAL
Shoppers happy for some return of 'normalcy' as stores open for Black Friday
![WBAL logo]()
Updated: 6:59 PM EST Nov 25, 2022
Stores opened early and welcomed shoppers for Black Friday as shoppers and retailers say this year feels the most normal since before the pandemic. Shoppers hit The Mall in Columbia, gearing up for a for a big holiday season."You can just feel the excitement. People are so happy to be back shopping, and Black Friday is a time-honored tradition at every major mall in America," said Mary Williams, the mall's senior general manager.For many people, getting up early the day after Thanksgiving and hitting the stores looking for deals is a family holiday tradition."My sister and I, it's a tradition. We've done this probably 20 years now. We do Target and the mall and all the big stores," said Autumn White, a shopper.The National Retail Federation predicts sales will grow between 6-8% this year over last year. The group predicts a record high of more than 166 million people will shop this weekend online and in stores. "Online shopping is just not as fun. You don't get to look at the stuff, you don't get to see people, you don't get to interact with people," said Leah Harford, a shopper."People in line, you hear them saying, 'It's nice to be out in some normalcy.' So, everyone's been pretty friendly," White said.The Mall in Columbia is open extended hours this holiday season.
COLUMBIA, Md. — Stores opened early and welcomed shoppers for Black Friday as shoppers and retailers say this year feels the most normal since before the pandemic.
Shoppers hit The Mall in Columbia, gearing up for a for a big holiday season.
"You can just feel the excitement. People are so happy to be back shopping, and Black Friday is a time-honored tradition at every major mall in America," said Mary Williams, the mall's senior general manager.
For many people, getting up early the day after Thanksgiving and hitting the stores looking for deals is a family holiday tradition.
"My sister and I, it's a tradition. We've done this probably 20 years now. We do Target and the mall and all the big stores," said Autumn White, a shopper.
The National Retail Federation predicts sales will grow between 6-8% this year over last year. The group predicts a record high of more than 166 million people will shop this weekend online and in stores.
"Online shopping is just not as fun. You don't get to look at the stuff, you don't get to see people, you don't get to interact with people," said Leah Harford, a shopper.
"People in line, you hear them saying, 'It's nice to be out in some normalcy.' So, everyone's been pretty friendly," White said.
The Mall in Columbia is open extended hours this holiday season.
