Whether you’re a shopping addict or the occasional shopper, you’ve likely heard of Black Friday sales. Black Friday is notorious for having excellent deals on the clothes everyone loves, but it is also known for being the cause of many fights, arguments and even deaths. This all begs the question, are the discounts even worth it?
On Nov. 29, 2024, in Roosevelt Field Mall, thousands of people congregated to shop for the upcoming year and the holiday season, including Great Neck residents who frequent the shopping center. The crowds and lines seemed endless amidst these huge sales and discounts. Despite the rise in online shopping, in-person purchases increased roughly 0.7% from last year, according to Reuters.
Many stores all over Roosevelt Field Mall face similar issues with overcrowding on Black Friday, which employees, consumers, and personnel across the mall reported concern over.
“The overcrowded store already posed a safety hazard to customers and employees, as there was barely any room to walk,” said Alo employee Paulina Rodriguez. “Once rowdy shoppers mixed with the huge discount, it was game over.”
Many shoppers were reported to be recklessly grabbing clothing off the racks all over the mall, at which point Rodriguez knew danger was imminent. This safety threat is one of the many reasons that many prefer to shop online.
“I thought I could handle the crowd, but once I stepped into that store, I was shoved into a clothing rack by someone who wanted the last jacket on sale,” said Roosevelt Field security guard Carol Walters. Walters recalls leaving the mall empty-handed after a terrifying 20 minutes.
This mindset is present all over North High, as many report a preference for online shopping rather than in-person shopping. Additionally, brands make their online discounts the same or even better than the ones present in-store, giving people further incentive to stay home. People would rather shop online with the same discounts than go all the way to the store, where many get injured or are stuck in line for the same exact thing they could have bought online without hassle.
“There’s no way I’m waiting in line for hours just to get $10 off my purchase,” sophomore Rocki Shalit said, “At that point, it’s just not worth the hassle.”
Shoppers at Woodbury Commons, a shopping outlet an hour away from Great Neck, experienced even more madness. Many online visitors shared their stories on how they drove from all over New York, New Jersey and even Pennsylvania hours before the stores opened, only to spend countless minutes in the rain because there was no more parking space available. In addition, Woodbury Commons sales caused a lot of traffic on the highway, impacting not only shoppers, but locals as well.
According to the New York Post, online sales reached a record-breaking $10.8 billion on Black Friday, a 10% increase from last year. The rise of online shopping has changed the dynamic of Black Friday sales, especially with the introduction of online pre-Black Friday events and Cyber Week sales.
“I didn’t even need to shop on Black Friday this year [since] I got everything that I needed weeks ago with similar discounts,” sophomore Ella Ginsberg said.
Black Friday also has its fair impact on small businesses, which often struggle to compete with large retailers at a normal price. When astronomical discounts are brought into the mix, many small businesses cannot afford to mark down their items as much as larger franchises or department stores. Local businesses like these are a dime a dozen in Great Neck, and many have been struggling on Black Fridays for years due to decreased demand from local consumers.
The chaos that ensued on Black Friday 2024 at Roosevelt Field Mall and beyond was unheard of on the account of not only students and employees, but even people across the tri-state area. Whether it be overcrowding or safety hazards, many debate whether or not the annual American tradition is worth their time given the advent of online shopping. Despite this, the mall stays a hub for those who want the excitement and tradition of the shopping season that Black Friday never fails to provide.
