An, anticipated increase in Black Friday sales over last year did not seem to trickle down to local merchants in Fulton and South Fulton.
“We could not tell much difference. We did not run any specials. People look for specials on big ticket items, such as electronics, and we don’t carry those types of items,” Alex “Junior” Noffel, owner of Noffel’s Department Store in Fulton said.
“We never see a significant difference for Black Friday, same thing this year. We had big sales earlier this month, that were successful,” Joan Homra, Leader Store, Fulton, said.
Most local merchants reported sales as being the same or very similar to that of last year.
Elaine Forrester, owner of Scotts Floral Shoppe in Fulton, agreed with other local retailers, who did not see an increase in sales.
“It was about the same. We ran specials, but I can’t say we saw an increase, nor did we see a decrease,” Angie Neihoff, L.A. Jewelry and Pawn in Fulton, said.
“There was not an increase. There was not a lot of traffic, there never is here. Most people go out of town,” Judy Andrews, South Side Drug, South Fulton, said.
“Sales were very similar. There was no real increase. It was about the same for us,” David Woolf, owner of Evans Drug, in Fulton said.
Last year nationwide shoppers spent approximately $10.3 billion the day after Thanksgiving. Preliminary figures for this year indicate $10.6 billion generated, with electronics being the most sought after item.
According to a report from TIME Magazine, the biggest reason retailers noted an increase in sales, was due to the sales starting earlier than ever this year. Some retailers opened the doors as early as midnight. The usual opening time is 6 a.m.
The online version of Black Friday, is Cyber Monday, marked Nov. 30, which allows deals from favorite stores, purchased from the comfort of home.
Internet sales are up 35 percent this year, according to an online retail antalytics company.
