October 19, 2015
Americans seem to have a love-hate relationship with Black Friday.
A new survey of shoppers has found that 79 percent of them dislike the Black Friday shopping experience. Yet almost a third of those shoppers say they're planning to spend more than $500 on the annual buying binge the day after Thanksgiving.
The results come from a survey of users of BestBlackFriday.com, a deal-tracking website based in Wilmington, Delaware. The company hired a Rowan University researcher to conduct an online survey of 1,140 shoppers in late September and the first half of October.
"Not surprisingly, 79 percent of shoppers do not actually enjoy the process of Black Friday shopping. They likely consider it stressful and even somewhat dangerous," the website wrote in its report.
Nevertheless, Americans are ready to open their wallets. 22 percent of those survey plan to spend $501-$750 and 10 percent plan to spend even more.
Another example of how Americans feel torn about November's shopping spree: 47 percent of survey participants said that stores shouldn't be open on Thanksgiving, but 33 percent still plan on shopping either online or in stores on Turkey Day.
The big-ticket items that shoppers show the most interest in are electronics, followed by apparel and then toys.
Why is there such a great deal of interest in Black Friday deals, when stores offer similar sales on Cyber Monday and throughout December? Only 29 percent of those surveyed even agreed with the statement that Black Friday has "the best deals of the season."
"While many people do not think Black Friday has the deepest discounts, they will still shop it regardless," the website's report explains. "It is a day where the overall volume of deals is higher than any other day, so shoppers have a better chance of finding items that they desire."
Online shopping can help buyers compare prices and avoid unpleasant crowds. Nevertheless, brick-and-mortar shops still win out: 48 percent of participants plan to buy at least one item online on Black Friday, but 94 percent will venture out to a physical store.
One sobering fact is clear: to brave the wild shopping hordes on Black Friday, you need to have your senses sharpened and your wits about you. Perhaps that's why only eight percent of those surveyed said that they plan to have a drink on Black Friday. Even if they feel they might need one.
