Economy

Atlanta-Area Stores May See Big Boost From Black Friday

November 24th, 2017

Black Friday shoppers waited in long lines at the Kohl’s store in Duluth early in the morning.

Tasnim Shamma / WABE

Hundreds of people crowded Atlanta-area malls and department stores Friday.

At a Kohl’s department store in Duluth, dozens of people waited in long lines on both ends of the store with carts full of sheets, toys and clothing.

Georgia State University marketing professor Denish Shah said this year will be strong for online retailers, but also for traditional stores.

Don’t be fooled by the outside. This Kohl's department store in Duluth was packed inside with shoppers on Black Friday. (Tasnim Shamma/WABE) — Don’t be fooled by the outside. Inside, this Kohl’s department store in Duluth was packed with shoppers Friday. (Tasnim Shamma/WABE)

“In terms of dollar sales, it will be higher because consumers are just better off this year than the previous years,” Shah said. “Record number of people have jobs. Economy in general is doing stronger, so they are expected to spend more.”

Shah predicts sales in Georgia will break records, in line with national forecasts from the National Retail Federation and Adobe Digital Insights.

Black Friday Shoppers

Linda Ward of Duluth said she woke up at 5 a.m. Friday. She and her sister-in-law were getting ready to check out from Kohl’s about five hours later.

“We usually tend to go out the night before as well,” Ward said. “But we were a little stuffed from turkey, so that’s why we got up bright and early today.”

Jonathan Oghenemaro of Duluth said he always finds good deals after Thanksgiving and was getting ready to purchase sneakers for his friends in Nigeria.

“I prefer coming down to the store. Because in the store you have varieties, and you can definitely assess the quality of whatever you want to get.”

Sales associates at the Kohl's in Duluth were busy with customers on Black Friday. (Tasnim Shamma/WABE) — Sales associates at the Kohl’s in Duluth were busy with customers on Black Friday. (Tasnim Shamma/WABE)

Abby Young of Lawrenceville said Black Friday is an annual family event.

“I like the experience of going out,” Young said. “My sisters and I have done this every year. We get together; we go shopping; we have breakfast. So it’s almost like a little tradition for us, too. So we enjoy that part of it.”

Joining The Crowds

Feranmi Adu said she returned to Kohl’s Friday morning after shopping there Thursday night because she found many things were half off the sale price.

“Thanksgiving was more calm because everybody cared more about spending time with their family. While Black Friday, they’re more passionate about shopping and getting what they can at that moment,” Adu said. “Because everybody knows, if you don’t go quick, it’s gone. People go earlier, and they take whatever they can.”

Edson Aguilar said he only came out to the Kohl’s in Duluth on Black Friday because he didn’t have a choice.

“I’m not big on it. I got tired of all the rushing and crowds and I was like, ‘Nah, it’s not for me,’” Aguilar said. “My wife wanted to get some clothes, so she dragged me out here.”