Stores Preparing for Black Friday
By: Cynthia Milledge
Updated: November 29, 2010
It's Black Friday.
That means big sales, crowded stores, and packed parking lots.
Before retailers can open their doors they must first make sure the shelves are filled, the signs are posted, and the employees are ready despite what the day may bring.
NBC 10's Cynthia Milledge talked to the management at one local store about what it takes to make sure everything goes as planned for them and the customers.
"Find everything o.k?" Those are three words Ashley Hill will say over and over Friday.
Hill says, "I've been working at Target 8 years."
No matter how many items come rolling her way, and despite how customers may react, she and other workers ring up customers patiently.
The reason?
They want their store's numbers to be in the black at the end of the day.
Hill says, "The day after Thanksgiving it's really crazy. Everybody's in a rush."
Store manager, Courtney Jones says, "We start the process about a week before."
Jones says they're opening boxes, stocking shelves, making sure all items are out in bulk.
So when they open on Friday, the customers can focus on giving jolly and saving merrily.
And just in case things get out of control.
Jones says, "We're even taking the necessary precautions as far as security."
Most retailers have hired extra staff and extended their hours hoping customers will fill their baskets leading to an increase over last year's sales.
Customer, Diane Yoes, says, " It's just kind of exciting all the anticipation of Christmas, the new year, change, it's a good feeling to be around people."
But will others have Yoe's attitude about shopping the day after turkey day?
Customer, Johnnie Baker, says, " I"m not a crowd person. I can't stand a lot of crowded up people. I can't stand that. I like to get in and get out."
Customer, Crystal McElduff, says, "It's too many people."
Frank McElduff says, "I might shop earlier. Number 1, everything will probably ge gone. If we don't shop before then."
With all those possibilities store managers offer the following advice.
Targets Ashley Hall says, "You have to be mentally prepared."
Hopefully those factors will keep you looking up and pushing foward to getting all of your holiday shopping done making your's and the store worker's day flow a lot smoother.
