Retailers expand Black Friday

Retailers are making the most of Black Friday.

Now in its fifth year in Bermuda, several retailers are using the entire week to bolster sales rather than Friday.

Black Friday is an American term for the day after Thanksgiving when retailers offer deep discounts to lure shoppers in. It’s generally seen as the official opening of the Christmas shopping season.

Last year, customers in Bermuda were lining up as early as noon on Thursday to get deals.

Several companies like Digicel and CellOne are waiting to reveal what bargains will be available on Friday, but both stores have kicked off the week with sales.

Also taking advantage of the lead-in to Black Friday is the Gibbons Group of companies. The group, which includes The Home Store, 25 Reid, 9 West, Gibbons Company, will open at 5am on Friday and will stay open until 9pm.

Paula Clarke, CEO, told the Bermuda Sun: “It gives the Gibbons Company an opportunity to show what great bargains, variety and selection you can buy in Bermuda.”

She said the public’s appetite for Black Friday sales “continues to grow. Retailers have become more creative — certainly we have — in providing greater opportunity to shop in Bermuda.”

Ms Clarke said some items will be up to 75 per cent off on Friday, but they actually kicked off the sales week on Monday at the Home Store.

She said: “We’ll have some specials that have never been seen in Bermuda before.”

Digicel has been and will be open at 6am every day this week to help meet the crushing demand,

Shane Mora, marketing manager for Digicel, said: “There is demand for all devices. Our sale will have something for everybody.

“We’re going to unveil what we have on sale on Friday on Thursday, but we have a special every day.”

Joe Ferrier, marketing director for CellOne, told the Bermuda Sun his company started its sales on Monday.

“The idea behind it is to build momentum and customer excitement throughout the week. Each day we have a brand new deal.” He said once a daily deal is revealed, it will be honoured through Friday.

Some of the other stores holding Black Friday sales include: Gorham’s The Annex Toys, The Annex Toyz2 and Phoenix Kidz, and ER Aubrey.