Merced-area retailers expect shoppers to be out in full force on Black Friday
Local retailers say they are gearing up for Black Friday shopping to return in full force this year, as destination shopping centers like Merced Mall are expecting crowds at pre-pandemic levels.
Some pandemic mainstays, like strategic placement of hand sanitizer, will be at various locations at the Merced Mall.
Mall employees who spoke with the Sun-Star, like Nanette Villegas, marketing manager at the Merced Mall, said they’ve already noticed an uptick in shoppers amid the holiday season .
Villegas said this year she doesn’t expect COVID-19 will factor into shoppers’ decisions to go out to see what Black Friday deals they can score.
Last year, Black Friday shopping affected brick-and-mortar retailers citywide, as there were smaller crowds at many shops.
Plus, the state’s COVID restrictions were in place, which meant Merced County stores could only have 25% of their maximum capacity of shoppers at a time.
“People weren’t able to get in and out the way they wanted to,” Villegas said, recalling Black Friday last year. “The numbers were okay. They weren’t the best, but the way they’re looking from this year with the Santa photos and everything, everything is definitely on the upturn.”
Also this year COVID vaccinations are available, which means many shoppers may feel safer to be out-and-about. As of Wednesday, around 50% of Merced County’s eligible population has been vaccinated, according to the county’s online COVID dashboard.
Nationwide, retail industry analysts expect nearly 2 million more shoppers over the holiday shopping season last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Shoppers continued the trend this year of starting shopping early. “We’re expecting another record-breaking holiday season this year and Thanksgiving weekend will play a major role as it always has,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president, in a news release.
“Nonetheless, consumers are starting earlier than ever to be sure they can get what they want, when they want it, at a price they want to pay.”
Some stores in the Merced Mall are expecting larger crowds because of their Black Friday deals. Bath & Body Works, among other larger stores at the mall, are expected to be big attractions, Villegas said.
“Toys are always a hit because of the smaller kids,” Villegas said. “Then just the matching sets, how everybody’s doing matching jammies, all that stuff. But usually candles, body scents, the pop culture stuff, See’s Candy, it’s a little bit of everything. I can’t say which one’s the most popular.”
The Merced Mall will open at 5 a.m. Black Friday, although some stores in the mall aren’t expected to open until 7 a.m. Be sure to check Black Friday hours for the stores you want to go to.
The following businesses have special Black Friday hours and have some safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Merced
Bath & Body Works: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Only 66 customers are allowed in the store at one time.
Big Lots: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
JCPenney: 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Kohl’s: 5 a.m.-midnight
Target: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 6 a.m-9 p.m.
Walmart: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
Joann Fabric & Crafts: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
PetSmart: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Best Buy: 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
GameStop: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Atwater
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Walmart: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
Target: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Marshalls: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Famous Footwear: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Bath & Body Works: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Petco: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Gamestop: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Los Banos
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Marshalls: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Big Lots: 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Walmart: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
Target: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Famous Footwear: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Petco: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Gamestop: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
This story was originally published November 24, 2021 at 1:16 PM.