Black Friday Shopping Tradition Thrives as Shoppers Flock to Stores

Despite the rise of online shopping and the availability of deals throughout October and November, Long Islanders in New York continued the tradition of early morning Black Friday shopping, crowding parking lots and shopping malls in search of discounts. While national retail spending growth is expected to be nominal, with most of it driven by online spending, Long Islanders showed enthusiasm for in-person shopping. However, foot traffic was semi-busy, with many consumers browsing and making price comparisons rather than making actual purchases. Retail analysts predict that discounters will fare better this season, while department stores may struggle. Online shopping is expected to see the biggest spending increases.