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Business & Tech

Shoppers Hit Stores at Midnight, Stay Home Black Friday Morning

Big box stores were nearly unrecognizable during this year's Black Friday.

Gone was the mad dashing, elbow pushing and winding lines wrapped around the stores. 

The typical 5 a.m. shopping bonanza also known as Black Friday was drastically different this year at local big box stores, and a bit quieter too.

“It’s kind of a bummer that there aren’t any crowds; it’s not as fun,” said Christina Angel, a Clawson resident and Target shopper. “There aren’t all of the people like usual and I’m not really seeing as many things that I want this year.”

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Target along with Kohl’s, Meijer and other major retailers in Troy and Royal Oak all opened their doors as early as 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, giving the true bargain hunters first picks at the steals, without having to wake up at the crack of dawn.

Many employees said the huge surge in sales came at midnight, and died down by 4 a.m.

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For some shoppers though, the thrill of heading out on Black Friday, and keeping Thursday reserved for Thanksgiving dinner only is part of the fun.

“We come every year it’s a tradition; we get up early, shop, go to Starbucks and then come home and pass out,” said Shantae Townsel, a Southfield resident, shopping at Kohl's on Friday morning. “From a consumer standpoint, I think it’s great that they opened the doors at midnight because we’re used to standing in those long lines where everyone is pushing and shoving and now we don’t have to.” 

While discounted TVs, movies, winter outerwear and clothes as well as inexpensive holiday decorations were the hot buys throughout many stores, the crazy shoppers just weren’t there.

“The crowd issue is very surprising; I just got up and went out to get what I needed to get,” said Tony Tocco, a Royal Oak resident, who was on the lookout for some gifts for others at Old Navy.

While many did hit the stores last night, many shoppers are also waiting for Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday to stock up on deals.

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