KALAMAZOO/PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — Black Friday is underway and the shopping frenzy has begun….again after starting Thanksgving afternoon at many big box stores, taking a break overnight and starting again Friday morning.
Megan Holland with the Michigan Retailers association says they survey their members on a monthly basis and 60% are optimistic that they will see a sales increase this year.
It will vary greatly from retailer to retailer, where they are and what they sell.
Many Michiganders cleared the Thanksgiving table early to get out to the stores. Holiday shopping doesn’t wait for Black Friday anymore, with many retail outlets opening last evening.
The line reportedly started forming at the Best Buy early on Thursday, with consumers camping out for a shot at the big deals, and not all of them satisfied. Some stores closed overnight and reopened again this morning for Black Friday.
A new holiday spending survey by Triple-A Michigan shows 17-percent are planning to spend more on gifts this year than last in Michigan, and nationally they’re seeing a 40-percent increase in shoppers planning to spend more money.
As for what we want the most, it’s gift cards at the top of the list, followed by cash, clothing, and travel, with electronics fifth on the list at just seven-percent. Triple-A says the top selling gift cards are for Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowes.
