Retailers take steps to 'avoid a crowd' on Black Friday amid COVID-19
MILWAUKEE - Black Friday marks the official start to the holiday shopping season -- but like so many things, it looks much different in 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Typically, you'll see Black Friday shoppers camped out for a good deal at Best Buy on Thanksgiving Day, but in 2020, FOX6 News found an empty parking lot.
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Meijer was one of the few places open on Thanksgiving, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"It's been an interesting year, and it's not going to stop anytime soon," said Phil Kelley, store director. "I know a lot of competition is closed today so they can be with their families, and that's awesome, but a lot of our customers rely on us to get those last-minute needs, so we need to be here for them, as well."
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Phil Kelley
Kelley said TVs were still the most popular item during Thanksgiving Week 2020, but you no longer have to wait until after the turkey for a deal.
"Everything is totally different this year," said Kelley. "We're trying to do a lot of things so that we don't have the lines, we don't have the crowds that we normally do."
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Small businesses are also doing things differently.
"You just want to avoid a crowd this year," said Claire Koenig. "I hope everyone is going to try to do that."
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Claire Koenig
Koenig with VISIT Milwaukee said she hopes people adjust their shopping plans to shop safe and think local.
"Just every time that you can, try and support a local business," said Koenig. "Try and order that takeout brunch instead of cooking. Try to buy from a local artist or a local maker when you can because it makes a difference this year probably more than most years."
VISIT Milwaukee has put together a shop local gift guide where you can browse local businesses that either ship or do curbside pickup.