Shopping frenzy grips Bermuda

 “People said this wouldn’t happen in Bermuda but we are doing it. It’s happening.”

This from Nicole Warren, general manager for Brown & Co, as shoppers across the island rose early today to shop ‘til they drop.

Black Friday shoppers were expected in town from as early as midnight last night to queue for bargains. Consumers and retailers have waited for this day all year as the discounts are deep and the shopping bags will be bulging.

Retailers — and the country as a whole — will be looking for high volume sales to help jump-start our flagging economy.

Positive messages came out this week from tourism and international business and some observers say a busy Christmas season could finally signal a long-awaited upswing for the economy.

Various retailers have offered deals all week, but the best deals will be found today.

‘A larger crowd’

Mrs Warren was due at work at 2am today to have breakfast with her staff before the doors opened: “We’re expecting a larger crowd than last year. It’s all hands on deck right now. We have had a lot of online responses asking what time we are opening. People are staying close to our social media.

“I’m glad other companies are getting involved and it really helps to create an event. A number of people have said this wouldn’t happen in Bermuda but we are doing it. It’s happening.”

Yesterday, we spoke to city shoppers who were ready to snap up deals.

We found Jameka Talbot waiting in line at CellOne to buy a Samsung S3 mini for $1.

“I was waiting for just over an hour. At first I couldn’t make up my mind but I decided to get the Samsung. The deals are very good. It’s $1.”

Store manager Anthony Foggo said the store had been busy all week. “It’s been like this all day.  When we opened, it was maybe ten to 15 people waiting outside at 8am [Thursday]. The line is getting bigger. “

Asked about the most popular phones, Mr Foggo said: “Samsung is the biggest seller. The Mini is only $1 right now. It’s really hard to beat that.”

Down the street at Digicel Bermuda, Rosita Bassett and Seth Burt were camped outside waiting for the Black Friday deals to begin at 9pm [Thursday]. Both are looking to buy the iPhone 5c for $329.

Ms Bassett said: “I got here at about 3:30pm and I just felt like changing my phone. I have had my Blackberry forever and I need an upgrade. I like the look of the 5c.”

Upgrade

Seth, a 14-year-old Berkeley Institute student arrived outside the store at 2:45pm: “I have had a Blackberry for too long and I need an upgrade. All my friends have upgrades and I needed one too.

“I’m paying for the phone but my dad will come and sort it out for me.”

Shane Mora, marketing director for Digicel Bermuda said: “Black Friday is one of the best opportunities to take  advantage of really great phone prices.

“We’ve spread our sale over four days and have been able to offer our customers more efficient customer service as the lines are shorter

Less time

“This means that unlike past years, less time is spent waiting in line, less time waiting in store and customers can purchase their device and be home faster than ever.”

He continued: “Also, with our 25 per cent off Digicel Internet and Digicel Bundles for Black Friday and Christmas we are guaranteed to never run out of those services.”

Though retailers are hoping for the best, money is still tight and civil service pay cuts and private sector layoffs will affect spending power.

Shopping season

Paula Clarke, CEO of the Gibbons Company and also the chair of the retail division of the Chamber of Commerce, said the odds are against this Christmas shopping season being as good as 2012.

She pointed out there are six last shopping days as American Thanksgiving and Black Friday fell a week earlier in 2012.

“This is a major difference and it’s a big one. The energy and enthusiasm put into Black Friday is to try to get four weeks of sales in three weeks.

“All retailers in North America are faced with the same challenges Bermuda is faced with.

“Will this year’s sales be better than last year? Everyone is struggling to keep up with last year because we have so many fewer days.”

She said that’s in spite of the fact that people held back on shopping last year because of the General Election and some stores were delayed getting goods because of Superstorm Sandy in the New York area affected the delivery of goods to Bermuda.

Ms Clarke said even with those events hurting 2012 Christmas sales, “We’ll be lucky to be flat with last year.” 

Black Friday deals

Here is a roundup of all the stores that will be offering discounts and the times they will open. If there is no time listed with the store, that means they will be open during their regular hours.

For shoppers who may get hungry or need a cup of coffee for energy, Buzz in Brown & Co will be open from 4am and the Esso City Gas Station will be open 24 hours.

Digicel Bermuda starts Black Friday celebrations at 9pm Thursday night with deep discounts on iPhones, Samsungs, Blackberrys and more. Phones are on offer for as low as $20 with the iPhone 5s more than $200 off retail price. The sale ends at 6pm.

Marketing Director Shane Mora said a surprise would also be in store for shoppers.

Cell One started deals on Monday but Black Friday begins at midnight with promotions ranging from a $1 Samsung Galaxy S3 mini to the iPhone 5s for $649. 

Giveaways include a 46-inch Samsung Smart TV, iPads, Galaxy Gear, Apple TV with many more devices and gift cards totaling $10,000.

Arnold’s Discount Warehouse begins their sale at midnight with 15 per cent off until 8am. Ten per cent discounts will be offered from 8am to 9pm.

The Phoenix Stores all open at 4am with great deals.

Brown & Co is offering customers 40 per cent off storewide from 4am to 5:30am. Thirty per cent off will be offered from 5:31am to 8am.

For the rest of the day until 9pm, 20 per cent will be offered store wide.

P Tech is offering shoppers a wide variety of discounts including iPod Touch and iPod Nano being sold at US prices. Cameras, phone cases, picture frames and much more will also be discounted.

There will also be 10 per cent off storewide discounts.

Phoenix has up to 40 per cent off on bedding and various discounts throughout the whole store.

The Annex Toys will offer shoppers 40 per cent off storewide between 4am and 5:30am. From 5:31am to 8am, 33 per cent off is offered. Twenty-five per cent is being offered on all items from 8:01am to 9pm.

Gibbons Company will open its doors at 5am with discounts and deals in all departments.

All regular priced merchandise will be 40 per cent off from 5am to 8am. The offer will decrease by ten per cent from 8:01am to 10am.

In the children’s department, toys will be 40 per cent off from 5am to 8am and 30 per cent off for the remainder of the day.

There will be discounts across the store all day, up to 60 per cent in some departments. Gibbons Company will close at 9pm.

AF Smith is offering shoppers early bird specials from 4am to 8am in their express store. A lunchtime blowout sale is promised from 12pm to 2pm in the main store.

AS Cooper will open at 6am and have different offers every hour until 8pm.

People’s Pharmacy is offering sales across the store will discounts up to 25 per cent. They will open at their regular time of 8am.

Gorham’s has been advertising sales all week and there will be discounts on appliances, tools, TVs, clocks and much more. The sale ends on Saturday.

Orange Bay Company will open at 5:30am offering shoppers 30 per cent off storewide and breakfast from Sweet Saak Bakery.

ESC Limited, - in the same building as Orange Bay - is also opening at 5:30am and offering up to 30 per cent off merchandise.

For the wine lovers, Gosling’s is offering up to 29 per cent off select items Friday and Saturday.

La Serena Express in AS Cooper is offering discounts on various treatments from 6am to 2pm only.

Strands Skin Spa and Hair Salon is offering 15 per cent off any skin spa or salon service only on Friday. There will also be 15 per cent off Clarins Christmas gift sets.

Island Glass will offer shoppers 20 to 25 per cent on select stock item today only.

Mayne’s Furniture will offer huge savings storewide including 35 per cent off the lowest ticketed price for today only. Furniture walk is also offering deals with 10 per cent off storewide.

Hunts Food and Supply will open at 7am with 20 per cent off until 9am. Ten per cent discounts will be available until 7pm.

Audio Visual is offering ten to 30 per cent off storewide Friday and Saturday.

ER Aubrey Jewelers is offering 65 per cent off from 6am to 7am, 55 per cent off from 7am to 9am and 35 per cent off from 9am to 9pm. Luxury for Less will have the same offers at the same times.

Davison’s of Bermuda’s Front Street store will open at 7am with 50 per cent off the entire store until 9am. From 9am to 10am, items will be 40 per cent off, 30 per cent off from 10am to 11am and 25 per cent off from 11am to 5pm.

Lovit Boutique will have discounts up to 50 per cent all day Friday including sales on jeans, jewelry, party dresses and more.

Perry Collection will have additional discounts called “draw your own discount” and doorbusters from 6am to 9am. The first five customers will receive a complimentary manicure while the following ten will receive a luxury polish change. 

Treats will be open at 5am with 50% off on select items.