Black Friday in 2020 is sure to be different than year’s past, but stores are still rolling out deals.
The tightly packed Black Friday lines snaking around buildings and through parking lots with families snuggled for warmth and friends chatting in the wee hours of the morning likely won’t be seen this year, but in-store shopping will go on.
With retail sales rebounding strongly due to continued consumer resilience, the National Retail Federation on Monday forecast holiday sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 will increase between 3.6% and 5.2% over 2019 to a total between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion despite the pandemic. Online sales are expected to account for about 20% to 30% of holiday sales.
The numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, compare with a 4% increase to $729.1 billion last year and an average holiday sales increase of 3.5% over the past five years.
“Given the pandemic, there is uncertainty about consumers’ willingness to spend, but with the economy improving most have the ability to spend,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Consumers have experienced a difficult year but will likely spend more than anyone would have expected just a few months ago. After all they’ve been through, we think there’s going to be a psychological factor that they owe it to themselves and their families to have a better-than-normal holiday. There are risks to the economy if the virus continues to spread, but as long as consumers remain confident and upbeat, they will spend for the holiday season.”
Last week, the federation reported over 40% of holiday shoppers had started earlier than normal, noting that only 26% said they’d checked every one off on their holiday list.
Clothing and accessories were the most popular gift category, according to 54% of those surveyed, followed by gift cards/gift certificates (49%), toys (37%), books and other media (34%) and food/candy (28%). Total spending on gift cards is expected to reach $27.5 billion.
The 2020 top toys for boys and girls include LEGOs and PlayStation. Cars and trucks, Hot Wheels and video games are also popular gifts for boys. Barbie and dolls remain the top toys for girls, according to the federation.
Macy’s, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Longs Drugs, and HouseMart Ace Hardware Crafts and Parker Ranch were among those advertising Black Friday deals inside Thursday’s expanded edition of West Hawaii Today.
Among the Black Friday offerings at Macy’s are selected home appliances for $7.99, a 12-piece Henckels block knife set for $69.99, designers shoes at 50% off, jade bangles for $99 and perfumes for $25. Longs Drugs is offering buy one-get free on holiday toys, cards and gift bags, a handheld percussion massager for $29.99, Scott slippers for $14.99, and a 28-piece Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids box set for $8.99.
HouseMart Ace Hardware is providing a 40% off coupon for shoppers to create their own sale, among other deals. Parker Ranch Center retailers are offering various deals, including a coupon for 25% poff any purchase of $100 at HIC and various free items with purchase.
Home Depot is selling a Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven for $149, Ring indoor security cameras for $44.99 and a Sealy Queen Hybrid mattress for half-off at $399. Over at Lowe’s, get a 7.5.-foot GE Just Cut Slim Aspen fir pre-lit artificial Christmas tree for $158 or choose one Kobalt 24-Volt Max kit and get a select Volt Max Bare Tool for free.
In addition to the big-box and national retailer shopping frenzy of Black Friday, is Small Business Saturday, which was launched by American Express in 2010 in an effort to bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.
Among those small businesses are Sunset Traders, Lex Bordies Tire and Fastlube and Kona Stories bookstore.
Kona Stories has taken part in Small Business Saturday since its inception, hosting a festive event featuring photos with The Grinch, a cookbook author sharing samples, gift wrapping, and homemade Sangria. However, due to the pandemic, Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. event will toned down to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“The major difference is we’re not trying to have so many poeple at one time in the store,” said Brenda McConnell, co-owner. “We’re trying to encourage people to shop local, shop often — but don’t all come on one day.”
While there’ll be less to do, The Grinch will still be around for those memorable holiday photos, albeit in inflatable form.
“He comes with a homemade mask, and everything,” she said, adding the store will be selling Grinch face masks, as well.
And, those who post their self-taken, free Grinch photos on Instgram @konastories will have the chance to win a $25 gift card each week until Christmas.
Storegoers can also contribute to the ongoing Education Support Drive, which kicked off in when schools closed in March to provide educational materials to at-risk students. Financial contribution can by made online at www.konastories.com or at the store. A box has also been set up should customers shopping want to purchase an item to donate.
In the last week alone, McConnell said partner nonprofits Friends of the Children West Hawaii and Kaanalike have helped distribute $6,000 of educational STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) toys.
“We’ve continued it, and we’re up to almost $17,000 that we’ve donated to at-risk studnets,” said McConnell. The goal is to raise $20,000.
Beyond the book store, various outlets at Keauhou Shopping Center will be offering deals in celebration of Small Business Saturday, including 20% to 50% off at Paradise Found Boutique and up to 60% off fabrics at Fabrics and Quilting Delights, among other deals offered by retail tenants.
Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort is also celebrating Small Business Saturday. Those who spend $200 at the shopping center that day can receive a free gift bag with locally made products ($25 value) from noon to 4 p.m.
To find other local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday, visit www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/.
Holiday shopping hours for
select retailers:
• Macy’s: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 5 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday
• Home Depot: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• Longs Drugs: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday
• HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• Target: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 7 a.m. tp 11 p.m. Friday
• Walmart: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday
• Costco: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday
• Jeans Warehouse: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• Ross Dress for Less: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday
• Bath &Body Works/White Barn: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
• Petco: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. tp 9 p.m. Friday
• Lowe’s: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
• OfficeMax: Closed Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
