Black Friday shopping is a yearly tradition. Scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving and part of a retail-laden weekend of indulgence that ends with Cyber Monday, shoppers usually head out in droves to pick up extreme deals that they usually (but not always) use for Christmas presents. This year, clearly, things are a little different. Thanks to COVID-19, some stores are not physically open at all for shoppers, requiring them to make purchases online that they then pick up at the store or have shipped straight to their homes. Other stores are open but have limited shopper capacities. The days of near riots over discounted televisions may be gone for good, but this doesn’t mean that the deals are no longer available.
Black Friday Deals Are Available Now
Since Black Friday is named for the fact that many stores see their finances end up “in the black” or profitable following this frenzy of a weekend, business owners want to make sure that they still see the sales that they need to keep their doors open. As a result, they’ve made their Black Friday deals available now. You can go online and begin purchasing items at Black Friday prices or venture out into the stores, where plenty of options are already available. Shopping now helps you avoid any potential crowds on the day after Thanksgiving and allows you to practice social distancing while in the stores.
Shop Online Whenever Possible
The CDC guidelines state that shopping online is still the most highly recommended method of shopping right now, although venturing out into stores is still safe, as long as you take the required precautions. This means that whether you’re looking for Black Friday deals now or plan on waiting to do your shopping, you should opt to do as much online as much as possible. Many stores have taken advantage of this and have not only expanded the selections available on their websites, but they have made shipping goods easier with free options and even in-store (or in-parking lot) pick up should you want to stay safe, yet not spend time worrying about whether or not your new discounted television will survive a trip by FedEx or UPS. As long as the retailers you are visiting are following all safety protocols, in-store picks can be expedient and safe. However, obviously, if you can shop online, go ahead and do so.
If You Do Venture Out on Black Friday…
With that said, if you do plan to venture out on Black Friday for the sake of tradition, it’s crucial to protect yourself. Some recommendations include:
- Not Shopping with Others – You may be tempted to take the whole family out shopping, just like old times. However, many stores have limits and request that you only shop with one other person at most in order to limit potential exposure.
- Properly Wear a Mask at All Times – Wearing a mask keeps you from expelling virus particles (if you’re an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19), and it also prevents you from breathing in any particles spread by others.
- Practice Social Distancing – Staying at least six feet away from others is probably ingrained by now, but it bears repeating.
- Paying Attention to Capacity Limits – Stores have capacity limits in place in order to prevent crowding and to allow for social distancing. Make sure to follow their regulations while you’re out shopping.
Following these guidelines will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help you scoop up those coveted Black Friday deals just as you always have. However, you can always ensure that you stay safe by shopping online or heading out the stores between now and Black Friday, as many items are currently on sale and just waiting to be snapped up. If you plan on heading out to your favorite stores to get some holiday shopping done but you notice that they either aren’t completely open for business or aren’t following the CDC safety guidelines, simply send us their information and our team will be happy to assist them in any way we can!