ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Black Friday ads are out, and many people are already making their Christmas lists.
Some people are even beating the rush and getting their shopping done.
FOX 11 talked to people at Bay Park Square Mall today.
“It gets me in the Christmas mood,” said Ashley Groelle who came to shop from Manitowoc.
“A lot of them are doing the early Black Friday sales, so that’s what I’m doing,” said Diane Mertes from Hingham.
Shoppers heading to the stores this weekend were looking to take advantage of sales ahead of the busiest shopping day of the year.
You can usually find a better bargain on Black Friday than any other day of the year, but many places are welcoming people earlier with pre-black Friday sales.
You’ve probably seen the ads by now in your mailbox or online.
Dean Mehlberg. a store manager with Kohl’s, says they’re ready.
“We have a bunch of sales going right into black Friday. So it’s not just black Friday. We’re gearing up with a lot of freight coming in,” he said.
But he says it’s nothing compared to the line that wraps around the building on Black Friday.
“It’s kind of turning into more of an event than a shopping day. It’s kind of turning into tailgating at a Packer game. I mean, people are happy, they’re in good moods, they understand there’s going to be lines.”
According to the National Retail Federation, more than 165 million people are expected to shop Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday and holiday sales are expected to be 3-to-4 percent higher than last year.
But some say there are more perks to getting out early.
“The selection’s a lot better. And I know you can do a lot of stuff online but sometimes it’s just nice to see the stuff that you’re purchasing,” said Mertes.
Many stores will be open on Thanksgiving ahead of Black Friday. Kohls, Best Buy, Macy’s and Target are all scheduled to open at 5 pm. Walmart is set to open at 6 pm.