In a report by Siddharth Cavale, Arriana McLymore, and P.J. Huffstutter, Teagan Hickson, a mother of two, embarked on her Black Friday shopping adventure at a Walmart Supercenter in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With holiday bargain hunting in mind, Hickson was quick to spot Gourmia digital air fryer ovens on sale for $50 each – an item her sister had been hoping to acquire.
However, the potential financial implications of President-elect Donald Trump’s planned tariffs, rumored to begin in January, have been a cause for concern for Hickson. She expressed her intent to spend cautiously, in order to avoid credit card debt and possible price increases next year.
After American Thanksgiving, retailers across the U.S. welcomed eager shoppers back into their stores. Many consumers like Hickson compared in-store Black Friday deals with those found online, in efforts to secure the best prices. The looming threat of Trump’s proposed tariffs, which may result in increased living costs, weighed heavily on American shoppers.
Hickson’s shopping strategy involved coordination with her husband, Josh. As she explored the store, Josh would compare prices with online alternatives. This approach proved successful when they found a similar air fryer model on Amazon, listed for twice the in-store price.
Walmart served up enticing deals across various product categories, including Samsung TVs, Dyson vacuum cleaners, Lego and Hot Wheels toys, Levi’s jeans, and air fryers. Meanwhile, consumers took advantage of online shopping, with $7.9 billion spent through mobile phones and laptops by 6:30 p.m. ET.
The National Retail Federation projected an increase in store visits this year, despite shoppers having fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas to make their purchases. Retailers faced the challenge of enticing inflation-weary shoppers to splurge on good deals.
Black Friday also saw shoppers at Macy’s store in Santa Barbara, California and Target, where exclusive products and discounts were on offer. However, some consumers, like 58-year-old chef Hoss Moss, felt that Black Friday was losing its appeal due to rising prices. Despite this sentiment, Moss planned to spend between $2,000 to $3,000 on gifts this year.
In conclusion, the Black Friday shopping season presents both opportunities and challenges for retailers and consumers alike. As the potential impact of new tariffs looms, shoppers are carefully weighing their purchasing decisions to get the best deals, while retailers are tasked with offering enticing discounts to drive sales.
