LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Cyber deals dominated during the pandemic, but Black Friday is back in Brick-and-mortar stores this year.
With the worker shortage and supply chain issues, there was a question of whether Black Friday would be less busy this year than in previous years.
But according to Alderwood Mall management, it’s had the opposite effect.
Casea Bennett had a specific item in mind for Black Friday Shopping.
“I really want to get these Ugg boots,” she told KING 5
But supply chain issues made it harder to get her hands on the boots than she initially thought.
“I looked online and they’re on like back up on stock so I can’t get them immediately and I kind of would like to have them in my possession rather than waiting longer because it’s something I really want,” Bennett said.
She decided to take advantage of the Black Friday deals and braved a very busy Alderwood Mall to look for the boots she couldn’t get online.
And was able to find them.
“Yay, perfect!” she said as she swiped her card.
And Bennett is not alone, according to Alderwood Mall Senior General Manager Jerry Irwin.
“There’s no secret, we’ve got a supply chain issue and a shipping issue right now. So, you know, people want to come into the mall where they can make sure find what they want, make sure they can take it home and safely tuck it under the tree” Irwin said.
Data from the National Retail Federation backs that up.
In 2020, 156.6 million people shopped during Thanksgiving weekend.
In 2021 nearly 2 million more people, 158.3 million are predicted to take advantage of Black Friday sales.
But it’s still down from pre-pandemic times; in 2019 165.3 million people shopped.
“I think it’s good to get people back into some of their old, you know, traditions,” Irwin said.
“It’s the nostalgic vibes of it, because like, everyone shops online but like this is an experience,” Bennett’s roommate Mary Styles told KING 5.