LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The National Retail Federation expects spending levels to reach record levels this holiday season and local shoppers were trying to get more bang for their buck on Black Friday.
“It’s all hands on deck right now,” says Donald Pope, Store Manager for the Lima Menards Store.
And those hands were busy, as people flocked to Lima stores like Menards to find some great Black Friday deals. While extended sales leading up to Thanksgiving, have calmed the crowds that many stores saw a decade ago. The people kept coming in to find something for someone special or even themselves.
“It’s steady, it’s steady,” adds Pope. “We have all of our registers open. We have no lines now. So, no waiting for savings. Hopefully, it’s steady throughout the day and it’s a beautiful day out.”
While the nice weather brings people out to stores, the whole holiday shopping weekend can be equally a social benefit, as well as an economic one for shoppers.
“Younger consumers under the age of 25, are also the most likely to view the weekend as a social experience,” says Katherine Cullen, VP of National Retail Federation Industry and Consumer Insights. “Saying they like the group aspect of heading out with family or friends. More than 2/3 say they plan to head into stores.”
The National Retail Federation says consumers will spend around $620 dollars on gifts and another $300 dollars on other holiday items. So, stores like Menards are ready for the rush over the next few months.
“Christmas is well stocked, everything is on the floor and ready to go,” says Pope. “I’m really excited, the team is really excited, and we have Toys for Tots going on as well too, taking donations. It’s already been picked up multiple times, so we really appreciate the contributions that everybody has been putting in for that.”
If you didn’t make it out to do some Black Friday Shopping, you still have a month to go before you need to get your Christmas lists filled.
