Despite inflation and loaded credit cards, South Florida shoppers plunge ahead with Black Friday, Cyber Monday

Although holiday retail deals have flooded media channels for weeks, large numbers of South Floridians looking to buy everything from electronics to books to Christmas trees rose ahead of dawn Friday to get a head start on that annual rite of shopping: Black Friday.

Countless stores in downtown shopping districts, free-standing big-box stores and malls across the tri-county area all opened well ahead of their normal hours, some attracting lines of people hoping to score hard-to-get items at discounted prices.

A Best Buy electronics store at 1901 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale opened its doors at 6 a.m. under the watchful eyes of two Fort Lauderdale police officers as a pre-sunrise line of more than two dozen customers calmly entered the premises without any jostling.

Two hours later, the neighboring Barnes & Noble within walking distance to the north opened to book lovers at 8 a.m. Many made a beeline for a table bearing 60 titles signed by their authors. And on East Commercial Boulevard and Northeast 26th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, Hayes Farms greeted early birds in search of freshly scented Fraser fir trees from North Carolina to occupy the living rooms of single family homes, apartments and condos.

‘We sold a handful today,” said manager Scott Maland shortly after 9 a.m. He added that some customers appeared the day before on Thanksgiving to buy trees ranging from 5 to 13 feet high. For some customers, it’s been a years-long ritual to decorate a tree while the turkey roasts in the oven. A few came to buy real trees after settling for artificial ones last year, Meland said.

At the Best Buy, early-bird buyers entered the store whose aisles were packed with discounted TV screens, computers, cameras and sound equipment. Most said they were hoping to grab discounted items before the store ran out of stock.

The Macy’s at the Galleria Mall on East Sunrise Boulevard also opened at 6 a.m. — drawing mostly women shoppers in search of clothes, linens and bath items.

The Barnes & Noble at 2051 North Federal Highway email blasted its customers earlier to tell them about the early opening and the discount available to members, said manager Bianca Ramos.

“We have selected sales such as 50% off selected hard covers,” said Ramos, who added that customers were largely looking for gifts.

Among the most popular titles: “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store,” the novel by James McBride, and the historical thriller, “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder,” by Barnes & Noble 2023 Author of the Year David Grann.

Despite the burdens of inflation as well as unpaid credit card bills from months ago, many shoppers seemed undeterred about spending on holiday gifts.

An extended shopping weekend

Black Friday, the traditional kickoff of holiday seasonal shopping, isn’t the only retail attraction this weekend.

Within 24 hours, Small Business Saturday, an annual promotion by American Express to give a lift to small retailers around the nation, loomed ahead, offering deals for those willing to spend a day in downtown shopping districts such as Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue. Other options include outlier venues such as the Swap Shop on West Sunrise Boulevard.in Fort Lauderdale.

In a recent survey conducted for Bankrate, the consumer finance site, 61% of  holiday shoppers are likely to shop on Small Business Saturday while 56% favored Black Friday. .

But Cyber Monday, the online alternative designed to ease the crush of people who typically crowd into stores on Black Friday, came “out on top,”: Bankrate said in a statement. It said that 66% of those surveyed are expected to shop at that time.

Still, small business operators seem to be in line for lots of customers, as 72% of holiday shoppers plan to shop at one either in-person or online at some point during the holiday season. That’s an increase from 2022, when 65% planned to patronize small businesses.

“While holiday shopping seems to start earlier every year, Thanksgiving weekend still includes several important events for retailers and consumers,” said Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman. “With Americans seemingly in a frugal mood this holiday season due to high inflation and high interest rates, I think this will be the best discounting season in years.”

Blue Friday?

Boat sellers are also eager to reel in another round of strong sales this holiday.

“Blue is the New Black,” declared an online announcement this past week from Marinemax, the nationwide recreational boat dealer based in Clearwater.

The company said it traced the idea back to 2015 when PropTalk and SpinSheet Publishing Company introduced it.

“In this concept, people are encouraged to go outside on Black Friday, even if they plan to spend part of the day shopping,” said MarineMax, which operates a  number of outlets in Florida including Pompano Beach. “ In fact, MarineMax, SpinSheet and PropTalk Magazine are urging everyone to get outside not only the day after Thanksgiving, but all month long to spend time with friends, family, and fishing buddies.”

For its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, MarineMax, a publicly traded company, reported record revenue of $2.39 billion, up 4%, and a net profit of $109.3 million. The numbers, said CEO and President Brett McGill, in part was a reflection of continued strong consumer demand for boats

‘Bright Friday’

Not to be overlooked, Brightline, South and Central Florida’s intercity high-speed train service, unveiled a series of limited-time discounts Friday for its recently inaugurated service to Orlando:

• For families of four: $148 one-way SMART fares.
• For travel between now and February 2024: $59 one-way SMART fares between Orlando and South Florida.
• For travel between Orlando and Boca Raton: Savings of an additional 25% off SMART fares when you book and ride by January 31, 2024.
• For travel between Orlando and West Palm Beach: An additional 50% off SMART fares when you book and ride by January 31, as well as $50 off PREMIUM fares when you book and ride by January 31, 2024.

*Prices may vary based on demand, travel class, date, time, fare and other travel preferences and subject to availability.” the announcement said. “Blackout dates apply. $148 family of four based on two adults and two kids discounted SMART fares.”