Outlets are hot spots to score Black Friday deals
It's the most wonderful time of the year ... for shopping, that is.
Today kicks off a truly American "holiday," Black Friday -- the post-Turkey Day scramble that offers more options to spend money (and cash in on some sweet deals) in one day than a single person could possibly take advantage of.
Across Delmarva, retailers are knocking down prices the day after Thanksgiving, but at the beach, thousands will be headed towards two of the biggest places for savings: The outlets.
"Black Friday is a very, very, very busy day and business continues to be very brisk over the next few weeks," said Renée Kelly, Ocean City Factory Outlets Marketing and Property Manager. "It's very festive ... I think it will be a big day for the outlets and for customers."
Hours and hours of shopping
Ocean City's Factory Outlets and Rehoboth Beach's Tanger Outlets (in three locations along Route 1) are ready for customers, and if this year is anything like the past, shoppers won't disappoint. Last year an estimated 60 million Americans turned out at stores on Black Friday.
However, one thing that will be different this year -- in Rehoboth, at least -- is the hours. For the first time, the Tanger Outlets are offering Midnight Madness, which means shoppers will be waiting to raid the outlets at the stroke of 12 a.m. -- just as the turkey and stuffing are beginning to settle in their tummies. Stores will be open from midnight to 9 p.m., with a wide variety of deals available.
"It really is a wonderful opportunity for shoppers who don't want to get up at 3:00 in the morning. This is a great opportunity for people who are going to be up late on Thanksgiving," said Amy Norgate, Tanger Outlets General Manager. "It's really hitting a different kind of shopper."
In Ocean City, early-bird shoppers can stakeout Children's Place and Gap, which open at 5 a.m., and Tommy Hilfiger, which opens at 5:45 a.m. Shortly after, Big Dogs, Harry and David, Jos A. Banks and Reebok open at 6 a.m., followed by L'eggs/Hanes/Bali/Playtex, Nautica and Rue 21, opening at 7 a.m. All other stores open at 8 a.m.
But shopping doesn't stop on Black Friday. In fact, the entire weekend is full of deals, many of which run over from Friday.
"A lot of these stores have deals all weekend," Norgate said. "(Shoppers) really aren't missing the boat if they just come out on Saturday or Sunday."
In's and out's of holiday shopping
Whether a novice or a seasoned Black Friday shopper, navigating the outlet madness can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, Kelly and Norgate have offered a few tips to make the day a little smoother.
# Early bird doesn't always get the worm. Norgate said a big misconception is that stores are mobbed in the afternoon.
"Locals are very smart," she said. "They know that one of the best-kept secrets is to shop around 2:30 or 3 p.m."
Parking is better, the stores are less crowded and most of the deals are still going, Norgate said.
# Hit the Web first. Both the Ocean City and Rehoboth outlets have information about special sales on their Web sites and coupons for some crazy-good deals which shoppers can print out. If you're a real planner, you can even map out your route. In Rehoboth, it's particularly helpful to be familiar with where stores are located, since there are three separate outlet locations, Norgate said.
# Bring a buddy. Don't shop alone -- bring a friend, Norgate said. Not just for company, but to hold a spot in line at the cash register while you're in the dressing room or loading up on goods.
# Home is where the car is. Finding a good parking place is key, Kelly advises. People often ignore the overflow parking lots in Ocean City, she said, but they're actually some of the best places to go. Situated behind the north and east rows of stores, the overflow lot pops folks out between Carter's and Factory Brand Shoes.
# Slow down, you move to fast. When it comes to Black Friday, there are a few tried and true tips that won't let you down. Wear comfortable shoes, be organized and remember to have fun. But taking the time to slow down and enjoy the day with your shopping companions -- whether family members or friends -- might be the best advice of all.
"Most people are just really excited to have a day off where they can take their time and really look at what's in the stores," Norgate said. "People work so many hours -- it's almost a luxury to shop."
"Everyone's in such a rush. They should take their time and shop wisely," Kelly added.
source: delmarvanow.com
