The Black Friday mayhem began at 5pm on Thanksgiving Day as thousands of bargain hunters rushed inside stores across the US in search of amazing sales, door buster deals and limited-time offers as experts predict 164 million Americans will spend nearly $1,000 each over the holiday weekend.
Macy’s Herald Square in Manhattan saw hundreds of people lined up outside their doors waiting to get their hands on deals like cosmetic and perfume sets from $10 to $20 as well as 40 per cent off on boots and shoes.
Shoppers were also seen flocking to its Apple shop for deals on gadgets like the Apple Watch.
Experts have predicted that over the five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, consumers will spend $19.7 billion.
As several shoppers have braved the cold weather in tents, others have found a way to take the easy way out. Some shoppers have reportedly been disguising themselves as staffers to beat the long lines.
People were reportedly selling Walmart employee vests and promised buyers an easy way to bypass the line.
Eager shoppers were seen cramped against the store’s doors as they waited patiently to get their hands on early Christmas gifts
Macy’s Herald Square finally opened its doors at 5pm on Thanksgiving Day for thousands of early Black Friday shoppers in search of amazing sales, door buster deals, and limited-time-offers
The Manhattan Macy’s store has deals like cosmetic and perfume sets from $10 to $20 as well as 40 per cent off on boots and shoes that have enticed shoppers this Black Friday
An estimated 164 million people (including shoppers seen above in Macy’s Herald Square in NYC) are planning to shop or are considering shopping during the Thanksgiving weekend, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF)
Of those considering shopping the long holiday weekend, the survey found that 32 million plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, but Black Friday will remain the busiest day with 115 million shoppers descending on US stores
One Twitter user posted: ‘Good thing I kept my vest from Walmart when I quit. We live baby. Black Friday shopping bout to be lit. I’m skipping everybody.’ Photos were also attached to the tweet showing a man dressed in the Walmart vest (pictured)
Another user tweeted: ‘Selling ALL 3 of my Walmart vest!! $100 per vest. You can go in the store for Black Friday and take anything you want. I even have a yellow one to look like the manager as well. [sic} hmu’
One Twitter user tweeted: ‘Good thing I kept my vest from Walmart when I quit. We live baby. Black Friday shopping bout to be lit. I’m skipping everybody.’
Photos were also attached to the tweet showing a man dressed in the Walmart vest.
Another user tweeted: ‘Selling ALL 3 of my Walmart vest!! $100 per vest. You can go in the store for Black Friday and take anything you want. I even have a yellow one to look like the manager as well. [sic} hmu.’
An estimated 164 million people are planning to shop or are considering shopping during the Thanksgiving weekend, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Of those considering shopping the long holiday weekend, the survey found that 32 million plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, but Black Friday will remain the busiest day with 115 million shoppers descending on US stores.
Consumers said they will spend an average $967.13 this year, according to the annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
That’s up 3.4 per cent from the $935.58 consumers said they would spend when surveyed at the same time last year.
Cyber Monday is expected to become the largest online shopping day in history, generating $6.6 billion in sales, 16.5 per cent growth compared to last year.
People line up to check out as they shop a Black Friday sale at a Best Buy store on Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park, Kansas
Holiday shoppers create aisle traffic at Best Buy during an early start to the Black Friday sale at Chimney Rock Shopping Center in Odessa, Texas
Consumers said they will spend an average $967.13 this year, according to the annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s up 3.4 per cent from the $935.58 consumers said they would spend when surveyed at the same time last year
Based on Adobe Analytics, online sales will be $107.4 billion, an increase of 13.8 per cent. Cyber Monday is expected to become the largest online shopping day in history, generating $6.6 billion in sales, 16.5 per cent growth compared to last year
The initial sales on Thanksgiving Day were expected to increase 15 per cent to $2.8 billion. But by 5pm Thursday, Americans had already spent $1.52 billion, which is a 17 per cent increase from last year
The initial sales on Thanksgiving Day were expected to increase 15 per cent to $2.8 billion. But by 5pm Thursday, Americans had already spent $1.52 billion, which is a 17 per cent increase from last year.
Adobe also projects $5 billion will be spent on Black Friday. Between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday sales are predicted to hit $19.7 billion.
The NRF expects holiday retail sales in November and December – excluding automobiles, gasoline and restaurants – to increase between 3.6 and 4 per cent for a total of $678.75 billion to $682 billion, up from $655.8 billion last year.
US stores had to get creative this year with tricks to lure shoppers off the internet and back into the thick of it.
Thanksgiving holiday shoppers wait in a check out line at the JCPenny store in Glendale, California on Thanksgiving Day
People enter the Broadway entrance of Macy’s Herald Square during early opening for the Black Friday sales in Manhattan
Shoppers look at a rack of handbags in Macy’s Herald Square after the store opened their doors at 5pm on Thursday
Hundreds of people gathered inside of Macy’s Herald Square to grab amazing sales and deals
US stores had to get creative this year with tricks to lure shoppers off the internet and back into the thick of it
Shopping malls in several states have scheduled Santa photo shoots with family pets as one way to attract customers in the face of the exploding online shopping realm.
Brick-and-mortar stores have expanded their bag of tricks – and gotten increasingly bold – as they look to lure shoppers who might otherwise be happy to stay on the couch and pick up gifts while still in their pajamas.
For the holiday shopping season, malls are hosting gingerbread decorating sessions, visits from the Grinch and ugly Christmas sweater nights.
Temporary ice skating rinks and magical winter decor – like the famous Macy’s window displays in New York – are also being used to draw customers intent on an in-person holiday experience.
Wal-Mart stores plans to throw more than 20,000 ‘holiday parties’ at which children can pose for ‘selfies with Santa’.
The flagship Bloomingdale’s store in New York has held yoga classes in the past, while Nordstrom has displayed Tesla cars near the section for men’s suits.
A number of shops now also ply visitors with food and drink.
‘All of these retailers are desperate to get people into their stores,’ said analyst Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, who added a note of caution about all the promotions.
‘Whether they work or not is open to debate.’
Brick-and-mortar stores have expanded their bag of tricks – and gotten increasingly bold – as they look to lure shoppers who might otherwise be happy to stay on the couch and pick up gifts while still in their pajamas
A woman reacts while looking at handbags in Macy’s Herald Square after the store opened at 5pm on Thanksgiving Day
A woman looks at a pair of boots in Macy’s Herald Square, which is offering 40 per cent off of boots and shoes
People shop for items in Macy’s Herald Square during early opening for the Black Friday sales in Manhattan
More than 800 people lined up outside a Best Buy in Irving, Texas, on Thanksgiving. The electronics store had some of the most impressive lines with line in Tennessee snaking into the parking lot.
But some of the Targets in the US appeared empty compared to Best Buy. There were several shoppers spotted at a Target in Chicago, but even more flocked to Best Buy.
In Nevada, more than 40 dispensaries will offer discounts on marijuana flower products, edibles such as chocolates, and concentrates, this Black Friday.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, this will be the first Black Friday since legal sales of recreation marijuana began in Nevada.
More than 800 people lined up outside a Best Buy in Irving, Texas, on Thanksgiving. The electronics store had some of the most impressive lines (pictured in Kentucky) with line in Tennessee snaking into the parking lot
Dozens of people waited in line for a Best Buy store to open for a Black Friday sale on Thanksgiving Day
Jesus Reyes pushes a television down an aisle as he shops a Black Friday sale at a Best Buy store on Thursday
But some of the Targets (pictured in New Hampshire) in the US appeared empty compared to Best Buy. There were several shoppers spotted at a Target in Chicago, but even more flocked to Best Buy
Customers push their shopping carts after making a purchase during the Black Friday sales event on Thanksgiving Day at Target in Chicago
People wait in line to purchase electronics during Black Friday sale at a Best Buy store on Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park, Kansas
‘It’s a great stocking-stuffer, and now you can treat it like alcohol in that regard,’ said state Sen. Tick Segerblom, who helped legalize recreational pot in the state. ‘As long as no kids can get to it. It’s for adults only.’
Some dispensaries will offer an eighth of an ounce of select flower products for $35, down from $53. One dispensary will gift shoppers a 10-pack of fruit chew edibles with any purchase, while another one will have a buy-one-get-one-free special on edibles.
Legal sales of recreational marijuana began in the state July 1. Those 21 and older with a valid ID can buy up to an ounce of pot. People can only use the drug in a private home as it remains illegal to consume it in public, including the Las Vegas Strip, hotels and casinos.
‘Cannabis use has been misunderstood and vilified in our country for over 80 years, so this day will feel both surreal and celebratory,’ said Andrew Jolley, owner of dispensaries and president of the Nevada Dispensary Association. ‘We’re very excited about the first holiday season of adult-use in Nevada.’