"The Repasky family makes a tradition of coming out to Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in Virginia on Black Friday. One change they noticed this year: fewer doorbuster deals and freebies. Jennifer Schmuck reported the same from Westfield Montgomery Mall in Maryland Friday morning. "I don't think the deals were as good," the 50-year-old banker said. Last year Macy's Inc. gave her a $10 coupon for being among the first in line, but didn't this year."
"Near Philadelphia, Melissa Ritzius, a 50-year-old homemaker, was similarly unimpressed with the sales at the Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store. Even though the deals looked comparable to last year, with higher listed price they didn't amount to much of a discount. One Polo sweater she was eyeing went from $125 last year to $170 this year. "It's a big change," she said. Ritzius didn't end up buying it."
"Many shoppers said they came out for the experience of big crowds, yet that too was disappointing for some. Some malls and shopping centers across the US today, like Patrick Henry Mall in Virginia, were empty this morning. Others had lines at a few stores, like Macy's, Old Navy, Target and Edikted. "It feels like less than a normal Saturday," said Nicole Slaughter from the Mall of Georgia in the Atlanta area."
Shoppers at malls from Virginia to Maryland and near Philadelphia reported fewer doorbuster deals, fewer freebies and weaker discounts than in previous years. Several shoppers noted higher listed prices that reduced apparent savings, with some items priced substantially higher than last year. Foot traffic and festive crowds were thinner at many centers, though a few stores still saw lines. First-time and habitual Black Friday shoppers said the experience did not meet expectations and some opted not to purchase. Broader economic concerns — a cooling job market, stagnant wages, persistent inflation and potential tariff fallout — weighed on consumer sentiment heading into the holiday shopping season.
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