Photo by Max Fischer on Pexels

By: Ananiya Narmathan

Black Friday has easily become the biggest shopping day for both consumers and retailers. This annual holiday tradition lures shoppers into stores where they leave with handfuls of bags.

This year, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, discounts were based on supply and demand and was a hit or miss situation. Some people left stores with handfuls of bags and great deals, whereas others were unable to find ideal discounts and left with little to no bags. This is mainly because a loss in inventory through the pandemic shipping crisis has caused many retailers to ease up on their discounts as they simply do not have enough inventory to support these sales. 

The pandemic has impacted our shopping habits — instead of going in person, a lot more people are shopping online. Along with this, curbside pickup and BOPIS, or “buy online, pickup in store” trends continue to grow.

Last year, stores and retailers urged consumers to shop online in hopes of preventing crowding in stores and straining supply chains. This year, businesses opened their doors in hopes of receiving customers, but over 60% of stores, even the ones in outlets, remained under capacity limits. 

Some speculate that this may be due to a heightened awareness regarding COVID-19 restrictions, guidelines, and health and safety regulations as well as rules. Others say that the pandemic has forced shoppers to become strategic in their gift shopping so that they not only get the best deals, but avoid shipping delays. 

Despite all of this, Black Friday was and always has been a wonderful way to kick off the festive season. It is a tradition, a celebration, and a thrilling shopping experience.

Works Cited

Bundale, Brett. “’Not like It Normally Is’: Black Friday Shoppers Hunt for Deals.” The Toronto Star, The Toronto Star, 26 Nov. 2021, www.thestar.com/business/2021/11/26/black-friday-arrives-with-little-fanfare-as-stores-launch-sales-ahead-of-retail-event.html. Accessed 27 Nov 2021.

Statt, Nick. “The Pandemic Permanently Changed Black Friday. Here’s How.” Protocol, 26 Nov. 2021, www.protocol.com/black-friday-shopping-trends-covid. Accessed 28 Nov 2021.