Thanksgiving Day Shopping Is Here To Stay
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's become Jacqueline Vega's Thanksgiving Day tradition.
"Every year," she said. "I'm always here every year for the past five years."
Actually, we should say Thanksgiving Day tradition that lasts for a week.
"I've been here since Monday," she added.
While some stores are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on ad campaigns saying they will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, others like Best Buy are embracing the fact that some Americans want to shop, and it's usually a popular big ticket item that brings them out.
"A 48-inch TV for $200," Vega. "TVs, I always get TVs. Well, the 49-inch 4K Toshiba is 200. And the Samsung 55-inch is normally 799 it's on sale for 470."
Vega has her eyes set on both.
However, she is noticing that the lines are a lot smaller this year than last.
Perhaps it's because a lot of people have discovered they can simply open up their laptop get on their tablet or smart phone and get some of the same deals that people wait in line for hours and even days for.
Stores like JCPenney's, Target and even Best Buy will go live with sales the night before Thanksgiving.
BrandsMart went live with their online sales Wednesday at 11 p.m.
Those who insist on waiting in line, point out that you never know what number you are in line in the virtual world.
"No, I like to get it in person I know it's guaranteed at my house. I like it at my house," Vega said.
Retailers have long figured out that when they get you in their store or on their website with an amazing deal, you'll probably leave with more than just one item.
And this year, the National Retail Federation predicts more than 1.5 million more people will be shopping this week online and in stores than last year.
Love it or hate it, Thanksgiving shopping is not going anywhere as long as people are willing to shop.
"I just like to upgrade. I just like to have the most latest version. You can't beat the price," Vega said.
