WILMINGTON — Behind Thanksgiving is a huge retail weekend as holiday shoppers break out the credit cards and Christmas wish lists for deals across the country.
As this weekend approaches, more than half of the nation’s shoppers have already started buying for the holidays, according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) consumer survey. On the shopping holiday known as “Black Friday,” it’s estimated that 137.4 million Americans plan to, or are considering, shopping over Thanksgiving weekend. Though the number could be higher as the weekend progresses.
The NRF’s numbers include Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and small business Saturday, plus Sunday, and include both in-store and online shopping. The numbers are up from 135.8 million people last year.
Want to find the latest and greatest Black Friday deals? It’s just a click away. Dozens of large retailers – and their deals – are listed on theblackfriday.com.
And for the record enthusiasts, don’t forget you can shop the latest albums at several local record stores Friday, for Record Store Day or visit recordstoreday.com.
Small Business Saturday
Large retail not your thing? Or are you just looking for a special gift that you can only find in Wilmington? The day after Black Friday, comes Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday is about supporting small business owners by shopping at your local and small retail stores for the upcoming holiday season. With more than 250 locally owned and unique businesses downtown, visitors are sure to find something special for family and friends for the holiday, according to Wilmington Downtown Inc., who asks those who shop downtown to submit a “selfie” on the organization’s event Facebook page. And visit the Wilmington Downtown Inc. website for a list of local shops in the area.
Interested in hitting the small shops in downtown Wilmington, including The Cotton Exchange? This weekend customers don’t have to worry about paying for street parking. According to the City of Wilmington, all on-street downtown parking will be free Thursday, Friday and Saturday in observance of the onset of the holiday shopping season. Parking Fees for city parking decks will be charged as normal.
For additional information about Small Business Saturday click here.
And in support of small business in Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College’s Small Business Center is working to bring traffic to local business by supporting the Saturday shopping holiday.
“Small Business Saturday is a celebration of the value small businesses bring to our community. Shopping small keeps our dollars in the community and enriches Wilmington’s culture,” said CFCC’s Small Business Center Director Jerry Coleman. “We love to see small businesses in our community grow and thrive.”
According to the college, shoppers can expect to find sales and promotions throughout the community. For more information about CFCC’s Small Business Center, call 910-362-7216 or visit cfcc.edu/sbc.
For additional local deals, shop our Save30 store.
