As we near the end of November, we welcome one of the most chaotic but rather exciting times of the year, filled with approximately 124.7 million American shoppers racing to the full shelves that are packed with products that are up to 50% off. Many stores, such as Ulta, Macy’s, and Target, have great deals during Black Friday that many people, especially students, love to shop at. The question is, what’s the best way to approach the Black Friday season?
Whether you need somewhere to start or just want a new tactic, a helpful guide on preparation is key when getting ready for Black Friday. Luckily, a few of our Berkley students shared their favorite and most useful tips and tricks to fight the busy crowds and conquer the best deals of the season.
Senior Antoinette Serra-Gagnon has been Black Friday shopping for about 4 years now. She explained, “Taking part in Black Friday has always been one of my favorite traditions. It’s exciting to rush into all of the stores and find cool products for a cheaper price.” According to Gagnon, “My favorite store to shop at during Black Friday is Ulta Beauty. They have many different sales on hair and skin products and perfume, which comes in handy because they’re usually on the more expensive side.” In order to avoid the rush of shoppers, Gagnon explained, “I always look on the websites for items that interest me before I go in person. It is better to have an idea of what products are on sale and where they are in the store before going in.”
Adding on, Junior Simone Taylor joined this holiday tradition just last year but already has many pointers when it comes to success in the shops. In fact, she has a rather unique approach to being the first one at the stores. According to Taylor, “Last year, my friends and I waited outside of Target with blankets and snacks so that we could get a head start. We brought umbrellas and hand warmers because the weather can be cold and rainy, which can be annoying. To pass time in the inconvenient weather, whoever got the most items for the least amount of money would win our game. Our plan worked well because I got a lot of new clothes and gifts for the holidays, and it also helped me knock out some Christmas shopping in advance.”
Another senior, Anna Vanoyen, has been participating in Black Friday for as long as she could remember with her favorite shopping sidekick, her mom. Vanoyen shared, “My mom and I tend to split up and focus on different sections of the stores in order to get the most in the quickest amount of time. We always go to Macy’s first to get holiday decorations for 20% off. Unfortunately, it only lasts for one day, so if you happen to be busy that day, you will miss your chance.” As online shopping has also become relatively popular with over $9.8 billion spent each year, Vanoyen included, “I also shop online too, so getting on their website early in the day is important because sometimes products can be sold out within a couple hours.”
In the meantime, there are many ways to come about the Black Friday season. With the best advice from Black Friday pros on how to go about this frenzied time of year while getting the most, spending the least, and leaving without a scratch or bruise, the mob of shoppers have nothing against these incoming professionals.