Whether or not you appreciate the insanity of the consumer's holiday of the year, Black Friday, it appears that the best sales — sales! — have been lost to Thanksgiving. In a depressing passage from the Detroit News today, the region's big-box stores and malls experienced less traffic thanks to a nationwide decision to jump-start holiday shopping on a day most prefer to spend with family and friends. From the News:
Foot traffic appeared to be down Friday at many of Metro Detroit's big-box stores and malls, with shorter lines, fewer cars in parking lots and shoppers saying Thanksgiving's deals stole some of Black Friday's traditional thunder.
Then, in an equally depressing quote from the president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, it turns out, retailers are "encouraged" by this.
"We are encouraged by what we've seen thus far with eager Thanksgiving Day and early Black Friday shoppers lining up for televisions, electronics, cashmere sweaters and toys," said National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay.
"Reports of record-breaking online sales and store crowds point to a more confident and savvy holiday shopper who knows when, where and how to take advantage of all the promotions retailers are offering."
How encouraging. For those who reveled in the madness of the day, the charm of the bizarre people watching produced by Black Friday sales has been lost.
