The holiday shopping season is about to hit full swing with Black Friday, which kicks off the post-Thanksgiving retail rush later this week.
Black Friday has become anachronistic in the era of electronic commerce. The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season, but retailers have been flooding their websites and customer emails with early Black Friday deals for weeks.
If history is a guide and advertisers are trustworthy, the best deals can still be had from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, a four-day period known in the retail world by the acronym BFCM. This can be especially true for high-value items, seasonal merchandise, and the latest fashion products.
However, consumer advocates point out that deep discounts are not a once-a-year opportunity. They advise buyers to compare prices, research price history and read the fine print to make sure they are buying what they really wanted at a good price.
That being said, some people enjoy going out and finding a computer or phone screen to enjoy the festive atmosphere and music in a mall or shopping area.
Retailers promise in-store experiences and exclusives to attract them. Several stores that close on Thanksgiving reopen early Friday as retailers work to kickstart the holiday shopping season.
Most stores in the United States will open on Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(With information from The Associated Press)