CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Black Friday shopping kicked off with fewer crowds than previous years as consumers increasingly turn to online deals, according to retail experts and local observations.
The National Retail Federation forecasts 187 million people will shop at brick-and-mortar stores or online between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The projection falls short of the near-record numbers posted in 2024.
Experts cite reduced disposable income due to high energy costs and inflation as factors contributing to the slower shopping pace. Financial advisors recommend following the one-percent rule, which suggests shoppers should not spend more than one percent of their yearly income during the holiday season.
Shoppers adapt to crowded conditions
At Charlotte Premium Outlets, early shoppers encountered packed parking lots and busy stores despite the overall trend toward smaller crowds.
“I thought I was going to be the first customer at Coach but I wasn’t. As soon as I drove in and saw there were no parking spaces, I knew I was cooked,” said shopper Xiomara Bentiz.
Sharon Campbell with Charlotte Premium Outlets said the location has seen consistent traffic throughout the year.
“We’ve seen a great year. We’ve seen a lot of people coming in, they’re being smart about their shopping. They’re looking for those deals,” Campbell said.
Small Business Saturday follows Black Friday, encouraging shoppers to support local businesses. The event takes on added significance for Charlotte’s Latino business community, which faced closures during recent Border Patrol operations.
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