SWEETWATER, Fla. (WSVN) – Hours after Thanksgiving, Black Friday craze has swept through shopping centers and big box stores across South Florida.
Many South Florida residents thought sleep was overrated, arriving at the mall before dawn to grab the special deals and discounts on offer.
On Black Friday, we scoured all day for the best bargains.
“What time did you all get here?” asked Seven’s Alex Browning.
“(We arrived here) at 4 a.m. This is the third year we’ve been here,” the teenager said.
“What keeps you guys coming back?” asked Mr. Browning.
“Tradition. It’s fun to come in groups. We have to get to know people like the friends next door,” she said.
“So what’s on the list? What are you guys trying to get at?” asked Mr. Browning.
“Everything,” she said.
The group apparently states that everything is going according to plan.
“We have a strategy where each of us takes an item and chooses another. We all have a plan,” the woman said.
They weren’t the only eager shoppers who waited hours for the doors to open at Sawgrass Mills Mall.
“I’m here every year. I wake up at 3 in the morning and I’m here,” the shopper said.
“I’m shopping for me, my mother and my grandchildren,” the shopper said.
“The whole family did it in one day,” Browning said.
“The whole family. Yeah, sales are good. Sawgrass Mall, we do it every year,” said the shopper.
Many shoppers use their holidays to go shopping for their loved ones.
“I gave my wife a wallet, my son something, and my friend some flip-flops,” the man said.
Shoppers were looking to pick up everything from clothing to leather goods.
“50% is a good deal on most items, and some even more than that. Some items are 60-70% off here,” said another shopper. I did.
Some people completed their Christmas shopping in one go.
“I’m going to Nike Outlet, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs. What is that?” Lala, Lulu? ” said the shopper.
“Lululemon,” Browning said.
The shopper laughed at himself for mispronouncing the brand and said it was a gift for his daughter.
“It’s my daughter. She wants everything,” she said.
At Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater, the parking lot and stores were filled with people looking for bargains.
Police were on duty to ensure a safe shopping experience for everyone.
The staff work all year round for this day.
“We have more than 240 outlet malls and these stores offer 50, 60 and 70 percent off regular prices,” said Dolphin Mall Marketing Director Madeline Bello Culver.
“It’s always nice to get a little gift for yourself as the holiday season approaches, but most of the people we spoke to said they were actually in the spirit of giving. Their favorites I’m excited to be in the store,” Culver added.
Shoppers were grateful to find great deals on gifts for family members.
“Burlington because I want to find an NFL shirt for my son,” the shopper said.
Toward the end of Black Friday, some shoppers were convinced it was the best thing ever.
One shopper said, “I have a feeling things will be cheaper and better this year.”
“Probably Victoria’s Secret. I’m just going shopping for my daughter. She’s in college now and has a lot of things she wants,” the shopper said.
The National Retail Federation predicted another record shopping weekend, with 65% of shoppers searching for deals in stores.
Shoppers appreciated the transaction filled with laughter, socializing and, of course, spending money.
Shopping malls are expected to be crowded on weekends as well.
Stores at Dolphin Mall will reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday and remain open until 11 p.m.
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