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Black Friday shopping is different in 2020
Holiday shopping is very different in 2020, as most stores have closed for Thanksgiving and will open on Black Friday. & nbsp;
ORLANDO, Florida – Black Friday 2020 will be a year like no other, especially as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way consumers shop.
Accelerating cases of COVID-19 are causing crisis for U.S. retailers and spooking their customers as the critically important holiday shopping season approaches. Retailers will be heavily dependent on online shopping this year as many stay at home.
MORE NEWS: FOX 35 Black Friday Guide: Online Deals & In-Store Theft
However, some people are still old fashioned and queuing for bargains in stores.
FOX 35’s Danielle Lama visited a Gamestop location in Orlando around 5 p.m. Thursday and spotted people already lined up. The first person on the line, Kyle Kazembe, said he had been online since last night.
“I was sleeping on the concrete last night which was difficult, but now I have a mat,” Kazembe told FOX 35. “I hang out with these guys… the hours go by really fast,” said Kenneth Johnson, who was doing also the tail. “
Gamestop will be a hot stop this Black Friday as they could apparently have Sony’s PlayStation 5 in stock. Consumers have faced a shortage of consoles, but Sony recently announced that it will release more inventory to retailers before the end of the year.
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Unlike many Thanksgiving in recent memory, most major retail stores have closed for the holidays.
“It’s a Christmas season I’ve never seen before,” said Britt Beemer, CEO of America’s Retail Group. He expects around 20% fewer shoppers in stores on Black Friday compared to a year ago. “They started giving Black Friday specials at the beginning of October and have been doing it now for the last seven weekends.”
Many stores have large sales over a longer period, with an emphasis on online shopping. For those planning to brave potential crowds on Friday, stores like Walmart say they will limit the number of shoppers inside and promote social distancing.
RELATED: Florida Sheriff’s Office Offers Black Friday Shopping Tips
At Gamestop, dedicated shoppers say they think it will be a safe experience.
“I think Gamestop has done a really good job in terms of restrictions,” Kazembe said.
A few hours to keep in mind:
- Old Navy will open at midnight.
- Walmart opens at 5:00 a.m.
- The target opens at 7:00 a.m.
Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest news from Central Florida.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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