Black Friday off to a calm start at local mall

Crowds rushing into retailers and packed parking lots were images associated with Black Friday for many years, but the shopping trends have recently been changing thanks to big box businesses offering door-busters on Thanksgiving Day.

Customers who showed up to local shopping malls like Cielo Vista as early as 6 a.m. didn’t have to fight the crowds or the parking lot. It was a calm morning as shoppers slowly streamed in to get the holiday deals.

“Black Friday, in terms of crowds, is more subdued now which is nice because people are now able to come here early and take advantage of additional sales,” said Cindy Foght, Director of Marketing at Cielo Vista Mall.

The crowds are still expected through out the day as the holiday shopping season ramps up.

“Shoppers still want to come to a physical store and try on merchandise, look at merchandise. Experience is key,” Foght said.

The National Retail Federation reports consumers will spend and average of $967 per person this holiday season.

Another trend the NRF is following this year is the number of millennials and ‘Generation Z’ adolescents that are spending money.

Nearly 90 percent of consumers under the age of 34 don’t want to pass on the deals this weekend, according to the NRF.

It comes with good timing because Cielo Vista Mall was filled with signs that read 30 to 70 percent off of merchandise at retailers.

Cielo Vista Mall will have extended holiday hours. Click here for the complete schedule.