The Daily Populous Saturday November 27th, 2021 evening edition
Authored by ktvu.com and submitted by snackerooryan

Shoppers who woke early to brave the Black Friday lines were in for a surprise.

Crowds were light and almost nonexistent in many stores throughout the Bay Area during what is usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Best Buy in Pleasant Hill usually has lines wrapped around the building but this year only about 30 shoppers awaited the opening.

"I just wanted to hang out with my friends and get that person connection with them," said shopper Cole Smith.

SEE ALSO: The best places to shop on Black Friday 2021

"I wanted to experience Black Friday once in my life, said shopper Otto Steindorf. "I'll probably never do it again to be honest."

Santana Row in San Jose was filled with shoppers. But it was more like a weekend, than the traditional Black Friday shopping throngs.

From retail centers in the south, to those in the north and east, grabbing price-reduced deals doesn’t require camping out all night. Now, people can show-up shortly before opening.

Economist Dr. Brian Marks said, "It’s black Friday, but it’s changed, like life does."

While retail experts predicted most shoppers would be online this year, other factors could be contributing to the sparse crowds.

The COVID pandemic and recent retail thefts could be part of the reason shoppers are staying away.

"What we’re witnessing today on this Black Friday is not just a transitory change, but a permanent change in how we will experience Black Friday in the future," said Marks.

Smash-and-grab thieves struck throughout the Bay Area last week, leaving residents on edge.

"These types of brazen thefts that are occurring throughout the country are only going to continue," University of New Haven Advanced Policing Dir. Lisa Dadio said shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday.

So, soaking up the holidays may have the same trappings, but fewer shoppers are being lured, as the culture trends in a different direction for the holidays.

beartheminus on November 26th, 2021 at 22:42 UTC »

Ive found that Black Friday deals simply aren't as good as they used to be.

In 2011 I bought about $1000 worth of clothes for close to $150. A winter jacket I still use to this day for $11. Sweaters for $3. Etc

It's just not that way anymore for whatever reasons.

BipolarSkeleton on November 26th, 2021 at 22:22 UTC »

I have probably seen over 15 posts today of people saying and showing that the price of Black Friday sales are exactly the same as the were last week or prices went up 2 weeks ago and now look like it’s on sale

seriousbangs on November 26th, 2021 at 22:12 UTC »

Nothing's on sale. No door busters. Why bother showing up?