It’s no secret that this Black Friday looks different from the ones that have come before it.
But experts say these changes aren’t a one-off, and could usher in a more permanent transition. Here are some of the ways 2020 could serve as an inflection point. Black Friday starts in October: Black Friday deals that are usually reserved for in-store shopping have appeared online for a month. After this year, a longer promotional period could become the norm. Who says buying gifts should start after Thanksgiving? More pickup options: Curbside pickup has seen a boom in popularity this year, and stores are taking note. Per Deloitte’s survey,27% of respondents said they were likely to utilize curbside pickup this holiday shopping season, up from 11% last year. Free shipping is expected: Even before the pandemic, more people were starting to see free shipping as standard. This trend is only due to grow as comfort with online shopping builds and the Amazon Prime effect sets in. That’s not to say retailers are giving up on the in-store experience. Best Buy (BBY) is among stores opening their doors at 5 a.m. while mandating that shoppers wear face masks. At Walmart (WMT), customers will be instructed to form single-file lines at the entrance and will receive sanitized shopping carts. Health officials are hoping that the pandemonium of the past will be limited. Thanksgiving marked the 24th consecutive day that the US has reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases. The number of Covid-19 patients in US hospitals hit a record for the 17th straight day, with many medical centers warning they are near capacity. Despite the pandemic, the National Retail Foundation has forecast that holiday sales during November and December will increase between 3.6% and 5.2% over 2019, totaling between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion. „Consumers have shown they are excited about the holidays and are willing to spend on gifts that lift the spirits of family and friends after such a challenging year,“ NRF President Matthew Shay said in a statement.
